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

    reportables

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

    I report any sort of inappropriate physical contact between residents (e.g. one who likes to touch vs. one who doesn't want to be touched) as well as between staff and residents. I've also even...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Has working in a hospital environment (or nursing genrally) made you more spiritual?

    VivaLasViejas replied to AZO49008's topic in General Nursing

    Well said,
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Has working in a hospital environment (or nursing genrally) made you more spiritual?

    VivaLasViejas replied to AZO49008's topic in General Nursing

    I've always been a spiritual person, although not conventionally religious. Nursing has made me much more so; not only have I learned that we are truly "fearfully and wonderfully made", but I've...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Med/Surg CNA

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

    I had a GREAT time working as a hospital CNA while I was in nursing school! The nurses really took me under their wings and taught me so many useful skills and time-savers........I'd be doing I&Os...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    What medical term do you dislike the most ?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Keepstanding's topic in General Nursing

    Yup........that's WAY worse than obese.
  6. VivaLasViejas

    What medical term do you dislike the most ?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Keepstanding's topic in General Nursing

    I loathe the word "obese". Even if I didn't know the English language, I'd want to stay away from this one instinctively (especially since it's written all over my medical record........). Frankly,...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Disturbed Energy Field? Yes or No?

    VivaLasViejas replied to VickyRN's topic in Holistic

    I'm in total agreement here. Nursing diagnosis sounds pretty, but there are many things in the world that sound pretty but are completely useless. So is NANDA in my not-so-humble...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Have you ever reported your coworker to the supervisor and got the person fired

    VivaLasViejas replied to Bala Shark's topic in General Nursing

    I just fired one of my staff members today, and all I can say is, it is a RARE occurrence in a good facility---people don't "rat each other out" and "get someone fired" just like that. Employee...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    How do you feel about the patients that WON't take care of themselves?

    VivaLasViejas replied to diapason05's topic in General Nursing

    I really hate the word "noncompliant". It's patronizing and flat-out insulting. We health care professionals are not our patients' mommies or daddies, and we shouldn't treat them as though we're going...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Do you report other nurses often?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Bala Shark's topic in General Nursing

    Folks, it's been interesting, but the OP has already received lots of great tips and observations on this thread. However, I've learned from past experience that sometimes, giving advice is rather...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Giving meds late o.k.?

    VivaLasViejas replied to MikeyJ's topic in General Nursing

    I've done time as a nursing-home nurse too, and I will be the first to admit that getting med passes done on time was one of the biggest challenges I faced. But the fact is, you HAVE to get those meds...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Do you report other nurses often?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Bala Shark's topic in General Nursing

    "Ratting out"...............now there's a mature way of putting it.:stone Lord help any patient under the care of a nurse who NEEDS to be 'ratted out' for sloppy care, bad work habits, medication...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    A Father's Tears

    VivaLasViejas replied to Elvish's topic in Ob/Gyn

    What a beautifully written, heartbreaking, unforgettable story.........Many years ago, my husband and I lost a newborn daughter shortly after birth; though he's never said as much, I can imagine he...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Condom Teaching Plan for Middle Schoolers?

    VivaLasViejas replied to cjulian214's topic in General Students

    Excellent advice,
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Accusations of Patient Abuse

    VivaLasViejas replied to MisMatch's topic in General Nursing

    I'm the DNS and assistant administrator for a 42-bed ALF, and I'd have done exactly as your supervisor did. I cannot take even the remotest chance that one of my staff members may be abusing...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Condom Teaching Plan for Middle Schoolers?

    VivaLasViejas replied to cjulian214's topic in General Students

    The timing of this discussion is rather interesting..........just last night, my 16-year-old son told me that the local police were handing out condoms at the varsity football game! I'm no prude, but...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    depression meds and getting hired

    VivaLasViejas replied to AmericanChai's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Maybe it's because I've live in semi-rural areas all my life, but I've never had to take a pre-employment physical of any kind......unless you count the UDS and TB screening. Nor can I imagine working...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    OPRAH "Sick in America: It can happen to you"

    VivaLasViejas replied to pickledpepperRN's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    It's not necessarily that. I think most Americans with health insurance are VERY cognizant of the fact that one catastrophic illness can wipe them out. I know I am. I've been uninsured and...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Unrealistic steriotypes of medicine on TV

    VivaLasViejas replied to chnc1024's topic in General Nursing

    I'll never forget the "ER" episode in which they did compressions on a conscious, talking patient. I love medical shows, but I have to laugh when they show doctors holding the kidney basin as the pt....
  20. VivaLasViejas

    My inability to brown nose is holding me back in my nursing career

    VivaLasViejas replied to FireStarterRN's topic in General Nursing

    I used to take a fierce pride in being a nonconformist, until I realized that it was getting in the way of things I wanted from my career. But compromising on principles doesn't cut it either, as I...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Fired from longtime job, too much LOA r/t cancer, deaths in family. Not Fair.....

    VivaLasViejas replied to FireStarterRN's topic in General Nursing

    I've always said that the "care" went out of "healthcare" when it became a business, a for-profit venture instead of a service to humanity. At my last hospital job, older nurses and those who had...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Ladies, Can you wear your hair down at work?

    VivaLasViejas replied to kgard7777's topic in General Nursing

    My hair is quite long---past the middle of my back---and even as an administrative nurse, I usually wear it up or tie it back. It looks neater and more professional IMO, and serves me well when I have...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    ANGRY! There's no place to eat or drink 'round here!

    VivaLasViejas replied to CaLLaCoDe's topic in General Nursing

    I can get away with treating my staff like human beings only because I work in a small assisted living facility that isn't subject to JCAHO's 'majoring in the minors' way of doing things. As for the...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Calling All Mothers

    VivaLasViejas replied to rnmomtobe2010's topic in General Nursing

    I started college when my youngest two kids were 1 1/2 and 4, respectively, and the eldest two were 7 and 10. Fortunately, I had some help---my hubby worked nights and my sister lived with us as well,...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Hoodia for Weight Loss?

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

    Interesting reading! Thanks,