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

    Nurse Sick and FIRED: Exploring Nursing Absenteeism

    VivaLasViejas replied to allnurses's topic in General Nursing

    There were only two ways I would call in: if I couldn't get my head OFF the pillow, or OUT of the toilet bowl. Anything short of that, and I went to work. Every place I ever worked had penalties for...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Spanish in the Hospital

    VivaLasViejas replied to stockholm's topic in General Nursing

    I was fluent in high school, having grown up around the language and taking four years of it in addition. That was a VERY long time ago and I got rusty, not having used Spanish much where I live now....
  3. VivaLasViejas

    What's Your Longest Lasting PIV?

    VivaLasViejas replied to bgxyrnf's topic in General Nursing

    I can't imagine having a peripheral in for longer than a few days. I'd think the doctors would prefer a PICC for long-term
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Cost vs benefit of BSN at middle age

    VivaLasViejas replied to Grengemly's topic in General Nursing

    You're never too old to further your education, but your hospital doesn't require a BSN, you're in later middle age, and you have no ambition beyond the bedside. What would be the point? On the other...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Class of 1998: A Journey Through Two Decades of Nursing

    VivaLasViejas replied to Melissa Mills's topic in General Nursing

    I graduated in 1997 and can hardly believe all the changes in nursing. I haven't worked in 4 years so I know there's been a lot more since I left the workforce. Electronic charting and med...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    How long have you been a nurse

    VivaLasViejas replied to Rocknurse's topic in General Nursing

    21 years. I haven't worked as a nurse in 4 years, but still hold an RN
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Nursing job

    VivaLasViejas replied to b5jackson's topic in General Nursing

    I'd choose the location closest to home. You will be doing a lot of driving under the best of circumstances. They pay mileage only from the office to the facility, not from your house to the facility....
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Nursing with Skeletal Dysplasia

    VivaLasViejas replied to tayadea's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I don't want to rain on your parade, but nursing is hard, physical work, unless you go into management. Most nurses have to start off on the floor though, and that's where you might have some serious...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses with SelfHarm Scars

    VivaLasViejas replied to redheadrn86's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    It's really none of their business. I wouldn't dignify anyone rude enough to ask that question with a response. You can always say "that was in the past" and leave it at that. Personally, I would...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Any Registered Nurses that are state surveyors???

    VivaLasViejas replied to 1964nurse's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    It's six to nine months of very intensive training, and then you have to go to Baltimore for what's called Federal Boot Camp so you can be certified at the federal level. I heard that it generally...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Getting mental help without work or insurance knowing?

    VivaLasViejas replied to setsumas's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    The only way your employer will know is if you tell them, which is not necessary unless you need accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Yes, you should seek treatment and quickly....
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Cna incident investigation

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nnb07's topic in General Nursing

    I've honestly never worked in a nursing facility that didn't require two persons for a lift transfer. Yes, I'm sure it's done in homes and maybe even assisted living facilities, but every hospital and...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Giving OTC medications to your aides/coworkers?

    VivaLasViejas replied to knotizer12's topic in LPN, LVN Corner

    I've never worked where they didn't have OTCs available to the staff for headaches, back pain, indigestion etc. We kept them in the med cart or the (locked) break room and people just helped...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses are people too

    VivaLasViejas replied to jupiter_rising's topic in General Nursing

    Truer words were never spoken,
  15. VivaLasViejas

    "Sharing Humour"

    VivaLasViejas replied to Dinatg's topic in General Students

    I had a wonderful psychiatrist who infused levity into our sessions in a way that always made me feel better when I left his office than when I walked in. He never poked fun at me or made light of my...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Writing order and having Dr sign later..your thoughts?

    VivaLasViejas replied to mzsuccess's topic in General Nursing

    No. Nope. No way. I would never write an order of any kind without having spoken to the provider first. What if they refused to sign off on it, or in fact wanted you to do something else? Not
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Atheist at Catholic hospital

    VivaLasViejas replied to kaydensmom01's topic in Spirituality, Religion

    Yep, the old turd-in-the-punchbowl act. Gotta love
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Do you think that nursing students need to work as a CNA or nurse aid while in school?

    VivaLasViejas replied to LindseyPar's topic in General Students

    If it were up to me, I'd see to it that every prospective nurse works as a CNA before becoming an LPN or RN. It teaches basic skills that nurses will use throughout their career, and it tends to...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Hair Follicle and B12 False + for THC?

    VivaLasViejas replied to smitherboy82's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Hi there, and Welcome to Allnurses! While I personally can't answer your questions, I'd like to invite you to check out our Nurses and Recovery forum, where members who are experienced in these things...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Is it normal to feel anxious about work everyday?

    VivaLasViejas replied to MaryFutureRN's topic in General Nursing

    If you aren't anxious before (during, after) work during your first nursing job, you're not doing it right. Seriously. EVERY nurse has a tough first year. It's as inevitable as the tide. Even with...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Can CNAs work one 12h shift a week?

    VivaLasViejas replied to LindseyPar's topic in General Students

    I worked casual as a hospital CNA when I was in nursing school. I usually worked weekend nights, and then I did full-time hours during breaks. It was definitely a worthwhile
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Assisted living turned nightmare

    VivaLasViejas replied to danij040866's topic in Nursing Career

    I echo the sentiments of others who have posted here: get out! And while you're at it, report this place to the state Department of Health or human services so that it triggers a survey, talk to the...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Jahi McMath is finally at peace

    VivaLasViejas replied to anon456's topic in Nursing News

    It's a blessing. Maybe now the family can let her rest in
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Death's Perfect Timing

    VivaLasViejas replied to r_doyle62's topic in General Nursing

    I will never forget this one resident at my assisted living facility whom I'll call "Marge". She was a cantankerous old soul who was on hospice, dying of CHF, but she kept hanging on, unresponsive but...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    It Never Occurred To Me.

    VivaLasViejas replied to Have Nurse's topic in General Nursing

    I had a strict policy of visiting the "difficult" patients first (assuming the rest of the team was not coding or otherwise had no immediate needs). I found that investing 10 minutes or so at the...