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

    Are you aware of how you conduct yourself in public?

    VivaLasViejas replied to rkitty198's topic in General Nursing

    All the more reason I'm glad my bar-hopping days were over before I became a nurse.. Of course, I have other ways of being silly and having fun that don't embarrass me or compromise my reputation as a...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    When a resident dies

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

    We're glad you're here,
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Where should I go to find less stressful day shift

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

    Less stressful day shift? You mean there IS such a thing? If there is, I have yet to discover it---I've worked every shift, and in fact worked days for 10 years. Then last fall, I changed to 3-11,...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    When a resident dies

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

    I have been dealing with just this sort of thing for the past month---we've lost six on my wing alone---and while I'm very much the professional, some deaths hit me harder than others. One of my...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Dealing with horrible smells....

    VivaLasViejas replied to cdb1208's topic in General Nursing

    Two words: Vicks VapoRub. Place a dab under your nostrils prior to dealing with odoriferous emanations, and it will help you hang onto your groceries even through the worst of 'em. I carry a small jar...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Salary positions

    VivaLasViejas replied to Inquisitive one's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Salaried STINKS. I used to feel sort of demeaned getting paid by the hour; but after I spent a few years being on-call 24/7/365---even on my vacations!!---and working 50-60 hour weeks while getting...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Will I lose weight being a nurse??

    VivaLasViejas replied to Misslady113's topic in General Nursing

    When I first went back to the floor after years of working desk jobs, I lost 11 lbs. in a matter of a few weeks---without even trying---due to the increased activity. But it doesn't take very long for...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Walk the Stairs at Work Challenge Thread

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

    My nursing home is a single-story building, but like Steph, I live in a house with some really wicked stairs---they have a steep rise and a short run. Until I lost a little weight, they hurt my knees...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    The "Weigh" Out---A Food Management Support Thread

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

    I'm beginning to believe some of the stuff I've been hearing about diet soda over the years, that I never wanted to admit might be true. Your story illustrates one of my own discoveries since I...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    The "Weigh" Out---A Food Management Support Thread

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

    Awesome post, Belfegor, and thank you!! It's amazing, how much I THOUGHT I knew about nutrition from having studied it in college and working to keep my knowledge base current. Then today while we...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    How do you know when a pt. is actively dying?

    VivaLasViejas replied to mjm1979's topic in General Nursing

    When their toes and feet are beginning to mottle, their skin is turning waxy-yellow, they're Cheyne-Stoking........and five minutes after you give them "permission" to let go, they do. Had one pass on...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    The "Weigh" Out---A Food Management Support Thread

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

    Well, I will say I've got some of the basics down already.......... Buying groceries when I'm not hungry.......check. Buying only what I know to be good for me..........check. Activity---well, I'm not...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Prescription narcotics or benzodiazepines while working?

    VivaLasViejas replied to FireStarterRN's topic in General Nursing

    I've taken Ativan since 2003, and after all this time I'm still taking the same amount (1 mg) and getting the same results (a full night's sleep). I NEVER take it during the day, though, let alone at...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    The "Weigh" Out---A Food Management Support Thread

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

    Well, thinking about exercise when you're still over 300 lbs. is just that---THINKING about exercise. I'm not doing any yet, at least nothing above or beyond the hall-running I do at work, sweating...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    After a year, it seems the managers ignore me

    VivaLasViejas replied to SoundofMusic's topic in General Nursing

    I always did enjoy a good metaphor...........this is one of the most original and
  16. VivaLasViejas

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

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Yours is a fortunate facility indeed..........I was not only the DON but the only licensed nurse for up to 70 residents, about a third of whom would have been better off in a nursing home. I was...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    A blessing in disguise?

    VivaLasViejas replied to AtlantaRN's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    It's just public relations BS. I've seen it from both sides of a manager's desk, and I know where both you and your boss are coming from. Social workers at NH's are sometimes extremely controlling...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    After a year, it seems the managers ignore me

    VivaLasViejas replied to SoundofMusic's topic in General Nursing

    Whooooo-eeeeee..........if they're not yapping at you and nipping at your ankles, you're one lucky "puddy tat'! Be grateful for their lack of attention---believe me, if you weren't doing well, you'd...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Attacks mount on 'preexisting conditions'

    VivaLasViejas replied to NRSKarenRN's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    I don't think many would deny people the right to purchase private health plans, or to pursue care that the average Joe or Jane can't afford. I know I wouldn't---if you can afford it and you want it,...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Fine line of abuse

    VivaLasViejas replied to RNMariposa's topic in General Nursing

    Verbal assaults are one thing. It's not fun to be insulted and called names, but this is the unfortunate byproduct of a culture that glorifies crudity and has elevated profanity to an art form over...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Does "your" instead of "you're" drive anyone else nuts?

    VivaLasViejas replied to *ac*'s topic in General Nursing

    Me neither......got done with that whole mess several years ago........thank goodness! However, I've been called the "Spelling Nazi" since I was a child, mainly because I am totally anal-retentive...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Health Care Reform---If You Were Congress

    VivaLasViejas replied to Riseupandnurse's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    Amen!!!
  23. VivaLasViejas

    The "Weigh" Out---A Food Management Support Thread

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

    I bought a couple of "Dancing With The Stars" DVDs. I was a dancer in my teen years, and I remember it as NOT feeling like make-work exercise---it was fun! Anyway, I've long wanted to learn some of...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    I need help with smells

    VivaLasViejas replied to BlessedRoseRN's topic in General Nursing

    I didn't either, not in my early career, and definitely not before then. Before I got into nursing, all I had to do was try to clean up after one of my kids vomited, and I'd be down there on the floor...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    I need help with smells

    VivaLasViejas replied to BlessedRoseRN's topic in General Nursing

    I keep a jar of Vicks or Mentholatum in my treatment cart so I can swipe a little under my nose when necessary. Peppermint oil helps as well; in fact, we often keep some in a C. diff patient's room...