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

    "fan out and go" + alchohol

    VivaLasViejas replied to Pepper The Cat's topic in General Nursing

    That's a really, really good question. Of course, you KNOW the answer: we aren't supposed to have a life outside work, so we should never drink alcohol, take a sleeping pill, smoke a joint, or God...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    When your first job doesn't work out

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

    Extremely common, I'm afraid. I'm in a somewhat similar situation, although I've been a nurse for a long time and am now a nurse manager who just put in my notice at the facility I've loved for two...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Spelling Bee was Great Entertainment!

    VivaLasViejas replied to Absolutely13's topic in General Nursing

    I've always prided myself on being an excellent speller, but I've never even HEARD some of the words and would have spelled them incorrectly for sure. Those young people are what's right with America,...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    I just can't do it....

    VivaLasViejas replied to luvmy3kids's topic in General Nursing

    This is a tough profession, even for those of us who can't imagine doing anything else. You made a hard decision, but a good one; perhaps someday you'll come back to the "fold" refreshed and ready to...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Personal emergency...forget how to be a nurse?

    VivaLasViejas replied to jessiern's topic in General Nursing

    It's almost always harder to remain clinically objective when the "patient" is someone you love. Usually I can get through the emergency OK, and THEN I fall apart. But that's because I've been a nurse...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    A big, fat CPNE failure here

    VivaLasViejas replied to SuesquatchRN's topic in Online Distance Learning

    I'm so sorry, Sue. Having recently become reacquainted with failure myself, I can feel your frustration, heartbreak, and disappointment. Hugs to you, and much better luck on your next try!!!...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Is there ANY department in nursing that I can avoid cleaning up poo?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Future-nurse's topic in General Nursing

    I'm a DNS in assisted living, and I was in it up to my knees this morning along with my staff---no one in health care is above cleaning up
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Lifting with family members

    VivaLasViejas replied to ballardfam's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    Best practice? Don't allow family members to lift, even if they are trained and do it all the time at home. This is not their job in the hospital, and as handy as it may be to have someone close by at...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Those Things I Learned in Nursing I Use In My Daily Life.

    VivaLasViejas replied to CaLLaCoDe's topic in General Nursing

    1) If it's warm, wet, and not mine, I don't touch it without gloves. That includes my grandson's diapers and the dog's Tootsie rolls. 2) I, too, wash my hands more often than the average human, which...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Patients say the funniest things...

    VivaLasViejas replied to brewerpaul's topic in Operating Room

    Versed has some really weird effects on my inhibitions.........in fact, it completely erases them. It's like truth serum, only worse, because I talk about things that never even occur to me in my...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Back to MedSurg........

    VivaLasViejas replied to KayceeLeeRN's topic in Medical-Surgical

    You are a far braver nurse than I. After a total of five years in med/surg, I ran like a rabbit and wouldn't go back for anything. Good luck to you..........and thanks for trying M/S again, because...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Lack of leadership in management

    VivaLasViejas replied to starkest's topic in General Nursing

    As a middle manager myself, I can't argue with a word you've said here, as I've experienced all of this and more. Sometimes I dream about having a job where I can do my eight hours, go home, and...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    What states allow RN's to pronounce death?

    VivaLasViejas replied to daisey_may's topic in General Nursing

    In Oregon, it depends on the care setting. In the hospital, it takes two RNs to pronounce; in LTC only one. We don't sign the death certificate, though; an MD or NP does
  14. VivaLasViejas

    A Little Game: 10 Words or Less

    VivaLasViejas replied to HisTreasure's topic in General Nursing

    Needing more resources Unloved by administration Running into obstacles Sitting down is a luxury I must've been insane when I chose this career Not sure how much more I can take, but I'm still Giving...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Define Nursing in 3 words

    VivaLasViejas replied to FutureNurseSaga's topic in General Nursing

    Rewarding Frustrating
  16. VivaLasViejas

    how did u become a nurse manager?

    VivaLasViejas replied to rxrn's topic in Nurse Management

    :yeahthat:
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Wondering if I should continue

    VivaLasViejas replied to Ms Kylee's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    If there was ever a "see you later", that's it. I wouldn't want to work for this agency a minute longer than I had to, not with the DON treating me like a Kleenex. The handwriting, as they say, is on...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    "Taking A Mental Health Day"

    VivaLasViejas replied to slmnewrn07's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Good for you!! I'm in the same boat (nursing admin), and if I don't take the occasional mental health day, I am NOT a happy camper. I honestly don't know how any nurse can maintain a five-day-a-week...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    CNAs: What do you do 11pm-7am?

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

    My night staff are kept busy with the 'yo-yo' residents, doing laundry and light housekeeping, and putting packets together for doctor appointments. They are also responsible for a couple of small med...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    "Taking A Mental Health Day"

    VivaLasViejas replied to slmnewrn07's topic in Health, Stress Management

    I took not one, but THREE of them recently, when I was so stressed out and burned out that I would've quit altogether if I hadn't had that mini-vacation. Just those few days away from the hustle &...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Things you'd LOVE to say to TPTB, and get away with it!

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

    And furthermore............ To patients'/residents' family members: "No, your mother's ice water is NOT more important than her roommate's blood sugar check." "What are you, broken? Go and get...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    What would you do?

    VivaLasViejas replied to calliesue's topic in General Nursing

    You have received excellent advice. Better to "git while the gittin's
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Things you'd LOVE to say to TPTB, and get away with it!

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

    Thanks for the
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Things you'd LOVE to say to TPTB, and get away with it!

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

    To the VP of Operations: "Either get me a computer that works and an administrator who won't drive the staff away in droves, or find yourself another DNS!" To the administrator: "YOU keep making staff...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Photos from NTI Chicago 2008 and allnurses.com booth

    VivaLasViejas replied to Brian's topic in Critical Care

    Those are AWESOME, Brian!!!!!!!! Karen, Judi, Miranda........it's so funny how I pictured y'all in my mind, only to find out you look a lot like ME---kinda fluffy, but with kind faces and great...