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

    What's the deal with black?

    VivaLasViejas replied to SCUnursie06's topic in Scrubs, Uniforms, Gear

    Everywhere I've worked, black and dark brown were not allowed because they were considered too depressing. If I had to choose between black and white scrubs, I'd rather wear black than white any day;...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    What do you think of this job description?

    VivaLasViejas replied to nrsin4's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    I held a Unit Aide position in a hospital while I was going through nursing school, and my job description was a lot like the OP's. Most shifts I was on the floor, but I also worked the desk sometimes...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Brookdale Senior Living

    VivaLasViejas replied to joyflnoyz's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Whew! I'm glad to find out that I'm not the only one who found the Brookdale 'experience' less than satisfying. My ED was great, and the RDO and regional nurse were also easy to get along with; but...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Have U ever left a job after a short Period? Why?

    VivaLasViejas replied to DaretoDreamRN's topic in General Nursing

    Four hours. This was about 25 years ago. We were broke, so I'd taken a telephone soliciting job out of desperation. But after having people curse me, slam the phone down in my ear, and otherwise be...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Brookdale.??

    VivaLasViejas replied to wyrleygirl1's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I ran like a rabbit from that company after only three months on the job---they pay RNs pretty well, but they also demand total loyalty and most of your waking hours. It wasn't the least bit unusual...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Funeral customs

    VivaLasViejas replied to ShayRN's topic in General Nursing

    I've been to way too many funerals, which is why I've decided I want a life celebration instead. I'd rather have people smile and laugh when they remember me. I want my favorite tunes played, both...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    What are some pros and cons of working in a nursing home?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Kurious RN's topic in General Nursing

    Pros: Less stressful than the hospital Pays better than clinics or MD offices Elderly people are great to be around---they have SO many stories to tell! Schedules are often...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    bolus insulin for meals

    VivaLasViejas replied to sweetieann's topic in General Nursing

    That may be different..........doctors often use carb counts in the hospital, but in the LTC setting it's rarely done (too complicated for the cooks, I guess). In the presence of a FSBS in the low...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    bolus insulin for meals

    VivaLasViejas replied to sweetieann's topic in General Nursing

    I'd rather deal with a spike than a crash. I routinely wait to check blood sugars until the kitchen staff announces that dinner carts for the neighboring unit are ready. My unit's meals are the last...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Why are ampules stil used?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Sarah Bellum's topic in General Nursing

    It's only happened once, but I've sliced the heck out of my thumb on an ampule. I was trying to hide it from the patient, but our wound care nurse happened to walk by and saw me bleeding all over the...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Orders you wish you could have written in the chart...

    VivaLasViejas replied to NurseKatie08's topic in Nursing Humor

    "Give Ativan 2 mg. IV Q 30 mins. to 400-lb pt in DTs and 4-points. The nurse may have all she
  12. VivaLasViejas

    A Healthcare Bubble?

    VivaLasViejas replied to wjf00's topic in General Nursing

  13. VivaLasViejas

    Dealing with excessively dry hands.

    VivaLasViejas replied to THAT Nurse.'s topic in General Nursing

    Well, if you're not too squeamish about repairing your skin in a 'girly' fashion, I suggest buying a pair of cotton gloves and some good cream like Aquaphor, Cetaphil or Eucerin. Slather the cream on...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Your Employer - Are You In For The Long-Haul?

    VivaLasViejas replied to SkateBetty's topic in General Nursing

    I have learned that there probably is no such thing as a "forever job". I'd planned to stay with my former ALF for the rest of my career, but they brought in a new management company in my second...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    # of residents in LTC

    VivaLasViejas replied to pielęgniarka's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Whew, and I thought I was busy with 28 residents! Of course, two of them are tube-feeders and 12 are diabetics who get fingersticks and sliding-scale insulin at 1700 and 2100 as well as PRN, but I...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Is it time to get rid of 12 hour shifts?

    VivaLasViejas replied to country mom's topic in General Nursing

    I don't see hospitals doing away with 12-hour shifts anytime soon, even though the fact that the nursing workforce is aging rapidly and many older nurses can't hack those long hours. It's far more...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Is it time to get rid of 12 hour shifts?

    VivaLasViejas replied to country mom's topic in General Nursing

    Count me in that minority. I work 8 hour shifts, eight shifts per pay period, and I LOVE the 3-11 shift. Those hours are my highest energy times, and the schedule allows me to have some sort of life...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Gross Things You Wish You Didn't See (G-rated)

    VivaLasViejas replied to FireStarterRN's topic in General Nursing

    I read something once about a 900-lb. woman who was brought into the hospital with, among other things, a dead kitten under one breast.:barf01: I've got a cast-iron stomach, but that one just about...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    5 second rule

    VivaLasViejas replied to mauimama's topic in General Students

    Yuck, yuck, and YUCK. I don't even allow the five-second rule at home, let alone a healthcare facility. It's one thing if the pill hits the bed or lands in the patient's lap (although even that is...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Any organized, decent, LTC facilities??

    VivaLasViejas replied to spiritbeing8992's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I'm lucky enough to work in a decent SNF/ICF. It's far from perfect, but it's one of the two best in this area, and I feel I can give good care most of the
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Bathroom Inservicing

    VivaLasViejas replied to barbyann's topic in General Nursing

    We have educational posters in our bathrooms, too. It's OK, it passes the time while you're......well.........taking care of business. There are also 'funnies' posted in there too, and once in a blue...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    My Thanksgiving

    VivaLasViejas replied to Tweety's topic in Nurses Recovery

    congratulations,
  23. VivaLasViejas

    The Holiday

    VivaLasViejas replied to Vito Andolini's topic in General Nursing

    I'm home today.........working all weekend though. It's OK, I've had four days off and am actually looking forward to it. I don't have to work Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, either. I'm on call for...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    I'm a Registered Nurse

    VivaLasViejas replied to SuesquatchRN's topic in Online Distance Learning

    :hpygrp::dancgrp::clphnds::urck::ancong!: That is WONDERFUL news, Sue!!!
  25. VivaLasViejas

    DNR Verbiage

    VivaLasViejas replied to Katnip's topic in General Nursing

    I always explain to patients/families that "Do Not Resuscitate" does NOT mean "Do Not Treat". In other words, we will do everything we can to protect their dignity, treat the treatable, and keep them...