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

    Is Toradol still used after a C section?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Vito Andolini's topic in General Nursing

    I had my C/secs many years ago so I don't know if it helps after one of those, but I can tell you in all certainty that 60 mg. Toradol IM in the glute is superior to opiates in relieving kidney-stone...
  2. VivaLasViejas

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

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

    Twenty-five pounds since February?? That is FANTASTIC, madwife!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! How much more do you need to lose? And where did you hear of this diet? I know I have to eat at least a little...
  3. VivaLasViejas

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

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

    This is true. And I did go through counseling and hypnosis.........someday I'll tell you how I once beat a pillow with a plastic bat for an hour and a half during a therapy session because I was so...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    new in recovery

    VivaLasViejas replied to nancynurse0706's topic in Nurses Recovery

    What she
  5. VivaLasViejas

    THIS Is Why I Love Geriatrics

    VivaLasViejas posted a topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Just had to share this great story from work today. Paul and Sylvia are a married couple living at my assisted-living facility. They've been there several years, and Paul's health has taken a huge...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Temp taken in butt??

    VivaLasViejas replied to MattM's topic in General Nursing

    I think we're done here. There really isn't anything more to add---a question has been asked and answered, and the OP has his information. 'Nuff
  7. VivaLasViejas

    The Case Against Breastfeeding

    VivaLasViejas replied to EffJay's topic in Ob/Gyn

    Once again, Miranda nails it!!! Great post filled with common sense, which unfortunately isn't so common anymore. Thank
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Using words like honey, sweety a no-no?

    VivaLasViejas replied to bee212's topic in General Nursing

    As an "older" person, I don't much care for being called "honey" or "sweetie" by someone 2 or 3 decades younger than myself. While I don't get overly upset about it when it happens, I'm not given to...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    The Case Against Breastfeeding

    VivaLasViejas replied to EffJay's topic in Ob/Gyn

    Oh,
  10. VivaLasViejas

    To Scope, or Not To Scope---That is the Question

    VivaLasViejas posted a topic in General Nursing

    Sometimes, ignorance is indeed bliss. As a nurse, however, I know way TOO much about certain medical procedures, and I wish I didn't. The conversation with my doctor that I've been dreading for months...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    The Case Against Breastfeeding

    VivaLasViejas replied to EffJay's topic in Ob/Gyn

    I'm with you, 100%. Things were different when I was having my kids 25+ years ago. Back then, new moms were encouraged to breastfeed but not browbeaten into it the way many are nowadays. Which was...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Something fun: What would you REALLY like to say to new PARENTS?

    VivaLasViejas replied to BabyLady's topic in Ob/Gyn

    I don't care HOW hard it is to fasten in: the infant seat will NOT keep your child safe in a crash if it is not anchored to the car seat
  13. VivaLasViejas

    To Scope, or Not To Scope---That is the Question

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in General Nursing

    I want to thank all of you for your input here.....even those of you who pointed out what a wimp I am.:wink2: I think what I needed was to hear the truth from other nurse-patients. I'm a very good...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses, do you thank your CNA/PCA/Nursing Assistant daily?

    VivaLasViejas replied to gonzo1224's topic in General Nursing

    Yes, I thank them often, and when they take on extra duties or are especially good with a resident, I'll write them an "Above and Beyond" card to post on the bulletin board (these not only recognize...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Returning to patient care

    VivaLasViejas replied to soldiersmomma160's topic in Retired Nurses

    I recently returned to LTC bedside nursing after several years in management, and I can tell you it's been an eye-opener.........so many things have changed since I last worked the floor, and it...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    To Scope, or Not To Scope---That is the Question

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in General Nursing

    Good
  17. VivaLasViejas

    What are some psychological effects of being a nurse?

    VivaLasViejas replied to smiles9960's topic in General Nursing

    Yep, that's about it.........very nicely summed up. But we keep getting up and doing it all over again, day after day, year after year, because most of the alternatives are worse. I mean, who REALLY...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    nails

    VivaLasViejas replied to newleaf2012's topic in General Nursing

    At my LTC, probably half the aides wear fake nails or tips. We also have a lot of UTIs, and whenever somebody gets a cold or a stomach virus, it spreads throughout the building faster than a rumor....
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Forgetting to chart PRN narcotics or other PRN meds

    VivaLasViejas replied to lolalolacherrycola's topic in General Nursing

    Yep, guilty on all counts. And what systems? I've never worked anywhere there was a Pyxis or other supposedly foolproof medication system.........we still do things the old-fashioned way. Thank...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    when do you call in sick??

    VivaLasViejas replied to massrn116's topic in General Nursing

    1) When I'm too sick to get my head off the pillow, or 2) When I'm too sick to get my head OUT of the
  21. VivaLasViejas

    What Song Describes Your Life? What Song Describes Your Attitude Towards Nursing?

    VivaLasViejas replied to AngelfireRN's topic in General Nursing

    The Boomtown Rats. Why I remember that little piece of useless trivia, I don't know..........all I remember is that the song came out shortly after some nutcase girl (Brenda Something-or-Other) shot...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    How much lifting does an ICU nurse do?

    VivaLasViejas replied to newyorkgrrrrrrrrrrrl's topic in MICU, SICU

    I did more lifting in ICU than anywhere else, except for nursing homes (and we LTC nurses use mechanical lifts for everyone now). So if you're looking for a job where you don't do much lifting, the...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Eugene/Springfield/Corvallis Internship, Sign-On Bonus, Loan Forgiveness

    VivaLasViejas replied to lnzywilson's topic in Oregon Nursing

    Samaritan Health Services is a very good organization to work for. I always received good wages and great benefits when I was with them, and there is room to move up if you're ambitious. I left them...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    I'm supposed to wear an "Ask me if I washed my hands!" button?!

    VivaLasViejas replied to daisybaby's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    It's not the "innocent little button". It's the symbolism. Wearing such a button tells the public that nurses are second-class citizens on a par with Wal-Mart greeters, that we aren't smart enough to...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Patients who are my age who blush or dart questions due to embarrassment...

    VivaLasViejas replied to justanewcomer's topic in General Nursing

    I've found this to be true as well. As for myself: after half a dozen pregnancies, several biopsies, a lap chole, four lithotripsies, countless EKGs and mammograms---not to mention fifteen years in...