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

    Stress and Depression

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

    Oh, I forgot to add something, Rain: you should know that being a good NURSE is not necessarily synonymous with being a good EMPLOYEE. Yes, we all have to meet certain minimum standards of efficiency...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    I Love My Crocs!!

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

    Why would any hospital want to ban shoes that keep their nurses going for 8 or 12 hours?? I can understand if it's the ones with holes in the top, or if the wearer doesn't use the heel...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Geriatric nurses, can you help?

    VivaLasViejas replied to UM Review RN's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I've never heard of that particular, but I've had to improvise many times while working with a patient's food preferences. In the LTC where I once worked, we mixed Promod powder with milkshakes,...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Blow out at the desk, who was at fault? both share blame I think?

    VivaLasViejas replied to DutchgirlRN's topic in General Nursing

    It's scary to think that this new nurse is already doing such poor work.......what's she going to be like in six to nine YEARS, when she's getting burned out and her back and feet ache like the devil...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Stress and Depression

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

    Aw, Rain........I'm sorry you're feeling so down. What you are probably experiencing is a bad case of 'reality shock': what you expected nursing to be like while you were still in school is VERY...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    What is average time spent on MDS?

    VivaLasViejas replied to midniteblu's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    A lot depends on whether you can do the MDS on the computer and use computer-generated RAPs/care plans. If you have to write everything out---and the vast majority of residents trigger a large number...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Religion Needed to be a Good Nurse?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Kabin's topic in Spirituality, Religion

    WOW.........I never thought a simple statement of mine could be turned into something even I don't recognize. For one thing, I am being accused of attacking an individual's religious beliefs when I...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Religion Needed to be a Good Nurse?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Kabin's topic in Spirituality, Religion

    Yes, they are VERY different, and confusing the two is a very common mistake that can create much misunderstanding. The way I see it, being 'religious' means you worship a Supreme Being according to...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Hanging IV Potassium

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

    What Deb and Siri
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Leaving work at work!

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

    This is one of the hardest things for new nurses to do, so take it easy on yourself..........I've been at it for over 8 years, and I still leave work some days feeling bad about the things I didn't...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    What is med surg like these days???

    VivaLasViejas replied to johnson0424's topic in Medical-Surgical

    Patients on med/surg floors now are much sicker than those we cared for even a year ago. We're doing insulin drips, dealing with all sorts of high-alert medications and taking care of people with...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    8-hour shifts vs 12-hour shifts

    VivaLasViejas replied to spacy's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I'm finally returning to 12-hour shifts after several years of doing four 8's every week. I just think I'll be more effective---not to mention less grumpy---if I don't have to be there practically...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    I Love My Crocs!!

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

    They tend to run large and wide. As for the holes on top, the model I have is called the Aspen, and they have NO holes anywhere.......I'd buy the vented ones for summer and 'play' time, but they...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    artificial nails vs bloody bitten nails

    VivaLasViejas replied to midwest40's topic in General Nursing

    I hate to say this, but you---AND your patients---are a sitting duck for MRSA, VRE, and any other nasty little germ that happens to end up on your hands during the course of the day. Really, you MUST...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Needhelp w/ debate: nurses and abused women

    VivaLasViejas replied to SerenityR.N.'s topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    There is also this to consider: Women are killed by their abusers every day, many of them AFTER having called the police themselves, having the abuser arrested and/or obtaining a restraining order....
  16. VivaLasViejas

    I am NOT enjoying my geriatric clinical

    VivaLasViejas replied to speedykicks's topic in General Students

    LTC can be terribly, terribly depressing........but it's a good place to learn basic bedside nursing care, that's why it's so often chosen as the first clinical setting. Caring for the frail elderly...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    I'm taking CMSRN tomorrow... any advice?

    VivaLasViejas replied to NurseCard's topic in Medical-Surgical

    I became a CMSRN myself last year, and I remember being pleasantly surprised that the exam was pretty much everyday medical/surgical nursing.......if you've been paying attention to what you've been...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    oops?

    VivaLasViejas replied to mediatix8's topic in General Nursing

    Here's a word to the wise: if ever you have a question about compatibility, check a current IV drug book (every facility should have one handy) and/or consult your on-site pharmacist. This is the best...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    I'm baaaaack . . . again!!!

    VivaLasViejas replied to tattooednursie's topic in General Nursing

    That's OK, Mandi........that's one of the things we're here
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Your opinion on nurses being role models of good health

    VivaLasViejas replied to JustGettingStarted's topic in General Nursing

    :deadhorse :deadhorse We've been over this ad nauseam in other threads, and I've noticed that there ALWAYS are a few 'health nuts' who can't quite keep a tone of superiority out of their posts....
  21. VivaLasViejas

    What do you live for?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Curious1alwys's topic in Psychiatric

    Thrashej.........I know you've spoken of your depression before, and it sounds to me as though there could possibly be a seasonal component to it that you may not have explored. I myself have SAD...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    I'm baaaaack . . . again!!!

    VivaLasViejas replied to tattooednursie's topic in General Nursing

    Welcome back, Mandi! Congratulations on LPN school..........I know you'll sail through and be a great nurse! So catch us up on yourself: are you still going straight for your RN, or do you plan to be...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Pacific Northwest According 2 Jeff Foxworthy

    VivaLasViejas replied to FranEMTnurse's topic in Nursing Humor

    Me, too!! I can relate to all of it..........especially the 'seasons' part (summer=road construction ). Summer also means field burning here in the Willamette Valley (cough, choke) and winter means...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Is it absolutly neccasry to swap out the needle after I draw it?

    VivaLasViejas replied to bjware's topic in General Nursing

    There is also the issue of tiny bits of broken glass falling into the medication when using ampules.......you certainly don't want to inject that into someone, whether IM or IV. Personally, I always...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    I have returned from the beach............

    VivaLasViejas replied to SmilingBluEyes's topic in Ob/Gyn

    I'm good, Deb.........and I'll be even better when I switch to part-time, as I'm planning to do just as soon as my manager opens up another position. I've been working four days a week for two years,...