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

    Who feels new grads should definately start on med/surg unit?

    VivaLasViejas replied to jenalv's topic in Nursing Career

    I used to feel very strongly about new grads doing a year or so of Med/Surg right out of the starting gate, to learn how to prioritize and gain a working knowledge of the many different disease...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Dream job: Where and Why?

    VivaLasViejas replied to cwinlv's topic in General Nursing

    I'm blessed enough to be working in a position that's as close to a dream job as you can get. But if I were to win the next Powerball, I'd buy my assisted living facility outright, manage it myself,...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    "Hardened" Healthcare Providers

    VivaLasViejas replied to cwinlv's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    Well, the rose-colored glasses get broken pretty quick---when we've seen something a thousand times, we tend to become a little jaded. That, however, does NOT relieve us of our duty to give competent...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    A Question regarding urine output

    VivaLasViejas replied to twolzy2p_42's topic in General Students

    That's why I've always said that you don't buy beer.........you RENT
  5. VivaLasViejas

    What's the dumbest remark you've heard yourself make...

    VivaLasViejas replied to KidsRNstill's topic in General Nursing

    One of THE dumbest things I've ever said happened a couple of years ago when I was still working med/surg. I was in a good mood as I started my 3-11 shift, making rounds and introducing myself to my...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    The Midlife Quest for Health: It's Not About Looks Anymore

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

    First of all, you cannot do this for him. He has to want to lose weight, and until he is ready to do it, there is nothing you can do to change things. Secondly, I'm curious about your statement "I'm...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    The Midlife Quest for Health: It's Not About Looks Anymore

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

    Thank you too, Julie! I'm down 8 pounds as of this morning. Now, eight pounds off a 300-and-a-bunch body is like a $20 discount on a Rolls-Royce, but at least it's 8 pounds I'm no longer dragging...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    The Midlife Quest for Health: It's Not About Looks Anymore

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

    And thanks to you all! The friends I've made here over the years are yet another blessing I wish to enjoy for many more to come......and if sharing my fight for my life helps even one other person, it...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Pictoral chart showing different types of BM

    VivaLasViejas replied to AmericanChai's topic in General Nursing

    Hey, wait a minute..........they left off the one I see in LTC all the time, that weighs 8 pounds and looks like an exclamation
  10. VivaLasViejas

    What do you do when you see this??

    VivaLasViejas replied to CyndieRN2007's topic in General Nursing

    It appears to me that this thread has gotten hopelessly entangled in arguments, and is now going around in circles. Since nothing is being accomplished here except for a few noses getting out of...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Think I've found my niche...

    VivaLasViejas replied to weetziebat's topic in Hospice, Palliative

    Mary, I'm so tickled for you!!!!! I know the situation you were in earlier this year was untenable---the best day's work you did there was to kick the dust of that place from your feet on your way out...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Being Judgemental Doesn't It Give Nurses A Bad Rap?

    VivaLasViejas replied to buildingmyfaith57's topic in General Nursing

    Stereotypes and generalizations don't belong anywhere, and I, for one, don't want to see them on this board. Please remember that this is a DISCUSSION, not a "let's-trash-somebody" thread. Nurses are...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    ER: The dumping place

    VivaLasViejas replied to Happy-ER-RN's topic in Emergency

    I'm sorry you're having such a rough time.:icon_hug: I'm going to be very honest with you here. You sound to me like you're suffering from a classic case of burnout........and believe me, I've been...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    new here but would like a response--long

    VivaLasViejas replied to medsurgfunrn's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I wonder what "too aggressive" means when it comes to being a patient advocate and refusing to just let it go when someone under your care is in pain? Did you stalk the doctor down the hall and out to...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Pt Threats and Name Badges (again)

    VivaLasViejas replied to Meerkat's topic in General Nursing

    Why does your boss insist on having staff's full names on their employee badges? Maybe there's a reason you're not aware of; still, in any case, I would definitely protest this and take it as far up...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    considering move to oregon?

    VivaLasViejas replied to debinius's topic in Oregon Nursing

    You want liberal and laid back, you want Eugene or Corvallis. Both cities are bicycle-friendly (to a fault, IMO), environmentally aware, and chock-full of progressive ideas. I work in Corvallis...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Andrea Yates R.N.

    VivaLasViejas replied to SkateBetty's topic in General Nursing

    This thread has been closed due to the overheated emotions and personal attacks between members. A friendly reminder: You may want to take a moment to review the Terms of Service you agreed to when...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Help,Thesis paper..Christian Worldview of Nursing

    VivaLasViejas replied to lagunababy_umns's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    I've just moved this to the Nursing Student Assistance forum, where you will probably receive more help than you might have in the General Nursing Discussion. Good luck to you on your
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Blood Transfusion Question

    VivaLasViejas replied to Irishgirl's topic in General Nursing

    Packed RBCs are more likely to be hemolyzed when being transfused through a 22-gauge catheter. Not only that, it can be uncomfortable for the patient if it's going in relatively fast, and it's more...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Where Do You Work?

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

    Yes, I too am on call 24/7, but because my staff knows their stuff, I don't get very many weekend or nighttime calls---only if there's an emergency, or on the rare occasion when an MD phones in an...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Where Do You Work?

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

    You're very welcome, jay! I can't imagine an ALF so large that more than one or two nurses would be needed.........mine's only 42 apartments, with probable expansion to 54 units within the next...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Where Do You Work?

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

    Perhaps I can help you with this question, as I am an RN working in assisted living as a Health Services Coordinator. This is the ALF equivalent of being Director of Nursing in a nursing home. I...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    just a question for all regarding dieing residents/patients

    VivaLasViejas replied to moosenurse's topic in General Nursing

    :yeahthat: Couldn't have said it better myself, Suzanne. Moosenurse, you have a compassionate and caring heart, and the day you shut down on that is the day you should get out of nursing altogether....
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Experienced Nurses! Hardened heart?

    VivaLasViejas replied to discobunni's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    I've been in health care for 11 years, and never once have I spoken disrespectfully to a patient or handled them less than gently. (Well, unless you count the ones who've fought off eight full-grown...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    In Conclusion (a bit of a vent)

    VivaLasViejas replied to weirdRN's topic in General Nursing

    I sure feel for you, Whimsie! Eight months ago I felt just like you do now, only my self-confidence was completely gone and I was beginning to believe I was incompetent. The wheel was spinning, but...