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

    CNA hospital setting vs. nursing home/LTC

    VivaLasViejas replied to sweetTnurse2b's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I don't know if the same holds true today as it did back in the mid-1990s, but I thought my hospital CNA job rocked! I was in nursing school at the time, and the nurses really took me under their...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Watchers vs. Doers

    VivaLasViejas replied to KeepItRealRN's topic in General Nursing

    Thank you for saying what I was thinking, and without swear words. I bust my butt for 40 hours a week minimum. Everything always seems to hit the fan at 1645---emergencies, new physician orders,...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Stethoscope cover - the fabric ones....

    VivaLasViejas replied to punkydoodlesRN's topic in Scrubs, Uniforms, Gear

    In theory, I like stethoscope covers because they keep your neck from sweating, which over time ruins the tubing. In practice, however, they are flypaper for any pathogen you can think of, and then...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    I was a new RN in 1989! There were no jobs!

    VivaLasViejas replied to madwife2002's topic in General Nursing

    And I thought some of the conditions I've worked under were gnarly.......thank you for a glimpse at a dimension of nursing I've never had to experience (thank
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Bad vibes from med/surg director..what to do??

    VivaLasViejas replied to ocgal's topic in First Year After Licensure

    I was just thinking about this post again on the way to work this morning, and it occurred to me that making a big fuss about the initials behind one's name is almost always a defense mechanism---as...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Staff and artificial nails

    VivaLasViejas replied to txdon's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I have the same problem at my ALF. I've decided to go higher up the food chain and get Corporate involved......my nurse consultant is with me on this and is working on a way to write a ban on...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Bad vibes from med/surg director..what to do??

    VivaLasViejas replied to ocgal's topic in First Year After Licensure

    I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a couple of things jumped out at me here that may explain why the OP didn't get the job. First, there seems to be a presumption that the director should have...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Why is unionization a subject of taboo??

    VivaLasViejas replied to wanderlustRN24's topic in Collective Bargaining, Union

    I disagree. Yes, union wages are generally higher than non-union, but this comes at a price: namely, fewer jobs and heavier workloads. And wishing for the hospital CEO to give up his yacht and his...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Please take our burnout survey

    VivaLasViejas replied to SurroDoula's topic in General Nursing

    I wrote: Remember, no one takes advantage of you without your permission. Learn to say No to ridiculous demands, overtime, extra shifts, taking yet another admission when you're already maxed out. And...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    What's It All About, ALFie?--Help and Support for Assisted Living Nurses

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Ohhhh, brother........sounds like one of my old AL jobs. Seems that the inmates are running the asylum and things have gotten completely out of control. What you need are some reinforcements---e.g., a...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Assistant Resident Care Director info

    VivaLasViejas replied to Robins1731's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    It sounds to me like the equivalent of what my ALF calls a Resident Care Coordinator. This person does exactly that---coordinates care with outside providers such as PT/OT/ST/Home Health, makes sure...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    And the survey says......

    VivaLasViejas replied to RottieGrlLPN's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Whenever I've been overwhelmed at work, I had this recurrent dream about being on a boat out in the middle of the ocean and getting swamped by enormous waves. I've been a nurse for almost fifteen...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    After termination: A Great Update

    VivaLasViejas replied to Traum-a-Rama's topic in General Nursing

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :anpom::smiley_aa:yelclap: It's always good to hear when something positive happens to a person who's been through a bad patch. Thanks for sharing your happy news with
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Resident Care Coordinator

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nurse Amy Jolie's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I'm sorry, OP, but I've got to warn you off about Brookdale, and especially the RCC position. They talk a great game, wine and dine you in the beginning; but soon you're working your second...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Vent: "I should warn you, I'm a tough stick..."

    VivaLasViejas replied to Anna Flaxis's topic in Emergency

    I always liked a challenge when it came to IV sticks. One time, a youngish female patient who was a frequent flyer told me that she was a not only a very difficult stick, but she was a "weenie" who...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Why is unionization a subject of taboo??

    VivaLasViejas replied to wanderlustRN24's topic in Collective Bargaining, Union

    :tku::tku::tku:
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Why is unionization a subject of taboo??

    VivaLasViejas replied to wanderlustRN24's topic in Collective Bargaining, Union

    Now who's acting like sheeple? If this isn't a great example of herd mentality, I don't know what would be. I'm supposed to put aside my own beliefs to support a union, even though its leadership may...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Who actually ENJOYS clinical?

    VivaLasViejas replied to foreverLaur's topic in General Students

    I've been out of school for a long time, but I still remember clinicals very fondly. I loved them! The clinical portion of the program was non-graded, unfortunately, but it was so much more...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    I need you guys, i think nursing is making me mentally ill

    VivaLasViejas replied to willowRN's topic in General Nursing

    Hahahaha! You can say THAT
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Why is unionization a subject of taboo??

    VivaLasViejas replied to wanderlustRN24's topic in Collective Bargaining, Union

    Hmmmmm.......interesting, how anti-union people are characterized here as unintelligent, ignorant, even sheep-like, while those who advocate compulsory union membership face no accusations whatsoever...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Dream job if you weren't an RN

    VivaLasViejas replied to EDnursetobe's topic in General Nursing

    Freelance writer.......oh, wait a minute, I AM one. That's why I had to go into nursing to pay the
  22. VivaLasViejas

    How often is a TB Mask Fit Testing done?

    VivaLasViejas posted a topic in General Nursing

    OK, so who knows how often this REALLY has to be done? My hospital recently instituted annual fit testing, which seems pointless unless you gain or lose a whole bunch of weight, grow a beard or...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    ANA wants GM foods labeled, please join effort ant tell FDA

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

    Finally........the ANA throws its weight behind an issue I actually care about, instead of just pushing the BSN and union membership. I guess they aren't completely useless after
  24. VivaLasViejas

    That is IT; have had it with nursing...I'm going insane!

    VivaLasViejas replied to carolmaccas66's topic in General Nursing

    Three years' experience does not confer the right to judge those who have been at it for ten, fifteen, or thirty years or more. And if this poster doesn't want to listen to our "whining", she would...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    How To Spot a Workplace Bully, Part Two

    VivaLasViejas replied to rn/writer's topic in General Nursing

    Sounds a LOT like what happened to me at my last hospital job. There was an assistant department manager who took a dislike to me way back when I'd worked there as a CNA, and both times I worked there...