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

    New Grad in LTC - Feeling Overwhelmed (21 pts)

    VivaLasViejas replied to simpreza2's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I would have loved to have had only 21 residents on the LTC unit I worked on before I got my current job.........I realize that it must seem overwhelming to a new grad, but believe me, the ratios are...
  2. VivaLasViejas

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

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I think it varies from state to state, and corporation to corporation.....sometimes even from building to building! Your facility should already have a training manual for the resident care aides; if...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    "Potty Talk"

    VivaLasViejas replied to RosesrReder's topic in General Nursing

    That's because it's all **** anyway. I used to work for a hospital that posted all sorts of announcements in the loo, including on the back of the stall doors at eye level. I guess they didn't want...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Why the disdain for LTC?

    VivaLasViejas replied to klone's topic in General Nursing

    Nursing homes have a bad reputation for being badly understaffed, and their nurses overworked and underpaid. This is not entirely without merit---a good many facilities ARE understaffed, and they...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    After the Fall LTC/SNF Nursing Know-how 101

    VivaLasViejas replied to Let's help out's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Not only that, but there is no way that the average hospital ER will do a CT on every elderly patient who allegedly thumps his/her head. Half the time, they never even make it to the ER because the...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    DNS advice

    VivaLasViejas replied to pixie120's topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    There is so much turnover in LTC that I'm always surprised when I visit a facility (to evaluate a prospective resident, or assess one of our own for his/her readiness to return home) and find the same...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    More attractive grads have better chances of getting hired?

    VivaLasViejas replied to AddisonLawrence03's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    Don't believe the self-deprecating tone---I've met Vida, and she is very cute! I would have hired her myself if I'd had work for her to do, but that's because she presents herself as competent,...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    advice on if mds position is a right fit

    VivaLasViejas replied to softball's topic in MDS Coordinator Information

    I was thinking exactly the same
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Dementia screening with self-med and post fall assessments

    VivaLasViejas replied to dhsieversRN's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I am in Oregon, and the self-med assessments are done quarterly, as well as when there is a change of condition or a hospital/rehab stay. I'll also do one PRN if someone starts falling or shows other...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    DNS advice

    VivaLasViejas replied to pixie120's topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    It depends on what you want to do. I wouldn't say anyone is ever "stuck" in one niche unless they want to be. I've spent much of my career bouncing back and forth between management and the...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    DNS advice

    VivaLasViejas replied to pixie120's topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    How long have you been with this current job? If it's not very long, you can often dodge the critical questions with "the job was a poor fit" or something in that vein. But whatever you do, never bash...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Finding a job after probation, will I ever be the nurse I really want to be again?

    VivaLasViejas replied to mymelody's topic in Nurses Recovery

    About eight or nine years ago, I was working in acute care when a nurse who was under Board supervision for diversion got hired and began working on our busy Med/Surg unit. She was not allowed to...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    State~!

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

    I'm the DNS of one assisted living facility who's helping a sister facility pick up the pieces of their recent barbecue---er, survey---and finding it completely overwhelming. I was involved in the...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Calling all pen aficionados...please report here

    VivaLasViejas replied to Poi Dog's topic in General Students

    ALLNURSES pens!!! They write nice and dark, and they have that wonderful thick rubbery grip that eases the pain of writing for my poor arthritic hand. What's not to love about
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Need advice for tracking weight changes in my residents

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

    In addition to the informal list of weights that you keep for your own records (trust me, you do not want to ever have an official flowsheet that surveyors can use to hang you with), you should...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Things you've had to do to get care done...

    VivaLasViejas replied to xtxrn's topic in General Nursing

    That's a great visual that tickles my heart......thanks for sharing.
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses and the LORD

    VivaLasViejas replied to Seiya174's topic in General Students

    I believe in God, and I certainly did pray for help in passing the NCLEX. But I also studied my hind end off and knew my stuff---after all, the Lord helps those who help themselves, and I believe that...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    does edema hurt?

    VivaLasViejas replied to blackbird singing's topic in General Nursing

    That's kind of like asking, "Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?" I hope your recovery is swift, uneventful, and LASTING.
  19. VivaLasViejas

    The dumbest thing you've ever heard...

    VivaLasViejas replied to AngelfireRN's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    ......and they
  20. VivaLasViejas

    70 year old mom

    VivaLasViejas replied to NSGstudent12's topic in Ob/Gyn

    I can't imagine having the kind of energy needed to raise a child NOW, let alone with another 18 years on me. Went through menopause five years ago and have never been happier........why would anyone...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    does edema hurt?

    VivaLasViejas replied to blackbird singing's topic in General Nursing

    I don't particularly enjoy it, but it could be a lot worse. I just sent a resident to the hospital today who has it really badly---she has the trifecta of obesity, CHF, and diabetes, and her...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    does edema hurt?

    VivaLasViejas replied to blackbird singing's topic in General Nursing

    I was recently dx'd as diabetic and already have neuropathy that's spreading t/o my right foot and leg, which is the same leg that's always had quite a bit of edema (the left leg not so much). Both...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Meetings for the rest of my life?

    VivaLasViejas replied to jnks's topic in Nurses Recovery

    To be honest, I stopped attending meetings very early in my recovery process. They were very useful in shattering what was left of my illusion that I actually had any control over alcohol and they did...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Funny Retro Look Back For The Day

    VivaLasViejas replied to DoGoodThenGo's topic in Nursing Humor

    THOSE were the
  25. VivaLasViejas

    gun safety and children

    VivaLasViejas replied to cayenne06's topic in General Students

    I grew up around guns, and from earliest childhood I was taught how to handle them with respect, as well as when NOT to handle them (which was anytime an adult wasn't available to supervise). I...