VivaLasViejas ASN, RN

LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych

Once a nurse, always a nurse!

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide

All Content by VivaLasViejas

  1. VivaLasViejas

    Retiring Too Soon

    VivaLasViejas replied to ertoclinics's topic in Retired Nurses

    I'm so sorry you're enduring these circumstances. FWIW, I had to put my license in Retired status this year due to the fact that I haven't had any practice hours in the past five years; I'm on Social...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Is 63 to old to start nursing school?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Mallory Sunset's topic in General Students

    I would not advise you to begin a nursing program now. You just can't know how hard nursing school, and nursing itself, really is until you're there. I had to quit at age 55 because I couldn't do it...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Should I take the job opportunity?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Mortaaaay's topic in General Nursing

    I wouldn't do it, for a number of reasons. One, the pay isn't all that great considering the cost of living in Seattle and other large Pacific NW cities. There is a HUGE homeless population, and a...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Patient has MRSA in urine, what do I do?

    VivaLasViejas replied to mzsuccess's topic in General Nursing

    Two words: Standard Precautions. They will help you stay safe from all kinds of little germies. Use gloves, don a gown, eyewear, and/or mask as appropriate if you're dealing with things that are warm,...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Peer Review

    VivaLasViejas replied to sueoct79's topic in General Nursing

    Ugh. I remember peer to peer reviews, and sometimes they stung a little even if you were a decent nurse with good people skills. Of course, you don't know which of your co-workers was asked to provide...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Getting through Nursing School with a Disability

    VivaLasViejas replied to katieannc's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I'm sorry you've waited so long for an answer; I was offline for a few days and didn't see this post. Welcome to Allnurses! You have several challenges that may make it difficult for you to become a...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Integrity - Should I say something

    VivaLasViejas replied to MickyMb2's topic in General Students

    What is it that they say---"If you see something, say something"? Your instincts are spot on. I know it's hard, but you definitely should pass this along to someone in authority. Like CalicoKitty...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Useless Shift Report Information

    VivaLasViejas replied to Davey Do's topic in General Nursing

    You've gotta be kidding. How in the name of all that is reasonable could someone get through nursing school without knowing those basic terms?! Please tell me this is just for
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Please Help: Should I Pursue My Passion? Being a Nurse With Bad Anxiety/Depression and more....

    VivaLasViejas replied to Amanda J's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Nursing school, as with nursing itself, is very hard on a "normal" person, to say nothing of people with mental illness. You need to be in tip-top shape, both physically and mentally, to succeed in...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Feedback appreciated

    VivaLasViejas replied to jinct's topic in General Nursing

    I'm sure she did. But what I can't figure out is why she would have given the patient the Haldol in the first place. Was the patient acting out? IOW, was the patient agitated, screaming, combative...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    New Director of nursing

    VivaLasViejas replied to shellyoo's topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    The same thing happened to my son, who was the DON for an intermediate care facility. When he went into the job, the surveyors had just exited and they issued 26 citations just for nursing and he had...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Resign first or wait until I find out if I'm fired?

    VivaLasViejas replied to FallingInPlace's topic in General Nursing

    I'm with the others who are suggesting that the handwriting is on the wall. Start looking for another job right away, you don't want to be caught flat-footed if/when the fecal material collides with...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Mental heath issues and my career

    VivaLasViejas replied to Throwawayseekingadvice's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    As a nurse whose career was ended by severe bipolar disorder, I wish I had some words of wisdom for you, but I don't. I just wanted to stop by and encourage you to pursue your dreams. You seem very...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    New RN, how to save face

    VivaLasViejas replied to ERN19's topic in General Nursing

    Of course. And there's more where that came from.
  15. VivaLasViejas

    New RN, how to save face

    VivaLasViejas replied to ERN19's topic in General Nursing

    I was covering for another nurse who was on her lunch break, and a call light from one of her rooms came on. I was in a particularly good mood that evening and waltzed into the room with a cheerful...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Will I get in trouble with the BON for receiving mental health care?

    VivaLasViejas replied to mj606's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Thanks for the update. So many people post things and never return to their threads and we're left hanging, never knowing if they've even read the responses. I'm glad you came back, and so happy...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Innumeracy

    VivaLasViejas replied to Oldmahubbard's topic in General Nursing

    That is just plain scary.
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Should I do my "year in med surg"?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Decisions7's topic in General Nursing

    Believe me, you will experience a LOT of psych/mental health issues if you do Med/Surg. Psych patients get sick too, and your background in MH will come in handy should you decide to get in that year...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Nursing anxiety

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nursepierogi's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    This. ^^ There is no need to stick with this job. You've worked hard and done your best, but it's chewing you up and spitting you out now. Nursing has so many varieties that you could conceivably try...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    I Caught the IV Yips

    VivaLasViejas replied to deberdt's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    Just curious: where do you work that allows CNAs/techs to start IVs? In my state that is WAY out of the CNA scope of practice, but then I suppose it's different in other states. Anyway, it is...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Trying to find time for mental health

    VivaLasViejas replied to SaraV's topic in Health, Stress Management

    This is quite a dilemma indeed. But take it from me, a nurse who lost her career to bipolar disorder, you HAVE to make your mental health a priority. I didn't and I paid dearly for it. The nature of...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Depressed anti social low self esteem. What to do?

    VivaLasViejas replied to epinephrine1mg's topic in General Nursing

    Hello, and welcome to Allnurses and the USA! We're glad you're here. What you've described so far as barriers to success as a nurse are not disabilities that require medication, although for your...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    How do I transfer non ambulatory pt from WC?

    VivaLasViejas replied to cutescrubs's topic in General Nursing

    I'm glad you decided to refuse this case, old back injury or no. I feel sorry for the next nurse that family tries to bring in...men get hurt
  24. VivaLasViejas

    How do I transfer non ambulatory pt from WC?

    VivaLasViejas replied to cutescrubs's topic in General Nursing

    Yes, that is too much weight to lift unaided. And you know what, it shouldn't matter whether other nurses can do it, YOU can't and shouldn't. Who knows, those nurses may have back or shoulder injuries...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Which social platform are nurses using most?

    VivaLasViejas replied to JanineKelbach's topic in General Nursing

    There is this one closed group on FB called Nurses with Cards. I spend quite a bit of time there when I'm not here, and there are a number of AN members on it. I also use Quora, which has a surprising...