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

    Discharging disheveled patients from the hospital

    VivaLasViejas replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Years ago, we used to use restraints and anti-psychotics a lot more than we do now. The federal Joint Commission, which surveys and accredits hospitals, has been tightening up on acute care facilities...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Discharging disheveled patients from the hospital

    VivaLasViejas replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Uh......I beg to differ! For one thing, I can't remember the last time we restrained a patient; we use CNAs as 'sitters' on a 1:1 or 1:2 basis. And when we DO apply restraints, we have to obtain an...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    8 hour evening shifts?

    VivaLasViejas replied to HisTreasure's topic in General Nursing

    I worked four 3-11 shifts a week for a couple of years and loved it.........in fact, I still miss it. TPTB at my hospital decided to make the 3-11 shift go away about 9 months ago and I went to 11-7...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Stretching of Cervix

    VivaLasViejas replied to Dayray's topic in Ob/Gyn

    Yanno, I'm soooooo glad I didn't know all this stuff back when I was 'birthin' babies'.......I have had so many painful and dangerous things done to me it's not even funny, but luckily I didn't KNOW...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    patient questions

    VivaLasViejas replied to lpnstudentin2010's topic in General Nursing

    I've said this many times, to patients, students, new nurses, and even my own kids: The only 'stupid' question is the one you don't ask! And no question is insignificant.......I tell everyone "if it...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Oregon changes POLST form!

    VivaLasViejas replied to Antikigirl's topic in General Nursing

    I'm for anything that makes things clearer than the original POLST form did......the old one was confusing, especially when the patient was DNR but wanted aggressive care up to that point. Thanks for...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Our Own Misconceptions

    VivaLasViejas replied to kmchugh's topic in General Nursing

    Thank you for updating us, Kevin..........I am sorry for your loss, but we both know she is no longer suffering, and is at peace with God. :icon_hug: You also can rest easier, knowing you did...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    I Think I've Just About Had It.......

    VivaLasViejas posted a topic in Nursing Career

    .......with my job. Maybe even my career. On the surface, I've got it made: a secure, full-time day shift job with a day off right in the middle of the week, and no weekends. I work with many fine...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    I Think I've Just About Had It.......

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nursing Career

    Thank you all for your continuing responses. :kiss I've finally hit a winning streak........been feeling really good for two whole WEEKS!! And it's the kind of feeling good that I remember from what...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Discharging disheveled patients from the hospital

    VivaLasViejas replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I think we are all sort of missing the point here. The point is not that one type of facility is inferior to another (hospital vs. LTC) or that staff at one type are slackers and those at the other...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Deflating Moment for a Soon to be New Grad

    VivaLasViejas replied to Headhurt's topic in General Nursing

    You and me both.........I wouldn't do a hygienist's job for ANY amount of money.
  12. VivaLasViejas

    patient questions

    VivaLasViejas replied to lpnstudentin2010's topic in General Nursing

    It's the ones who DON'T ask questions that worry me....... I have had patients actually save my butt by asking questions. When I was fairly new, I once brought a cupful of pills to an elderly woman...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    coumadin error

    VivaLasViejas replied to medicarelpn's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Absolutely! I'm as anal as anyone else about incident reports, and I'll write them even for potential errors that never reach the patient but which COULD have harmed him or her. What I was referring...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    SAD: Just Wondering........

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in General Nursing

    Yep, that's me :chuckle Last week, we had some record-breaking heat for several consecutive days before it went back to being cloudy and miserable again, and there I was, sitting in traffic in...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    SAD: Just Wondering........

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in General Nursing

    We are fortunate in that we have a HUGE picture window, plus two other large windows in our living room that let in all the natural light there is at any given time. I don't go outside much in the...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    coumadin error

    VivaLasViejas replied to medicarelpn's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I've seen this sort of thing happen in LTC more times than I care to count.......lack of communication between shifts, between management nurses and floor nurses, between facility and doctor etc. is...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Charge Nurses, Team Leaders, and other set ups???

    VivaLasViejas replied to Mystery5's topic in General Nursing

    My Med/Surg unit just went from what was an informal democracy to using a 'Resource Nurse' every shift, who functions as charge nurse while taking 2-3 patients. They make out the assignments, place...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    And You Think YOUR Job Stinks.......

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nursing Humor

    Well, way back in the day, when they still made mercury thermometers, I remember seeing words to that effect on the package insert. :chuckle My dh used to work as a 'sanitation technician', which has...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Are there still "cluckers" out there?

    VivaLasViejas replied to 1Tulip's topic in General Nursing

    I've never heard it called that before either........what it's called in my neck of the woods, would violate the TOS.
  20. VivaLasViejas

    I Passed! I'm a Nurse!!!

    VivaLasViejas replied to Aneroo's topic in NCLEX Exam, Programs

    congratulations!!! :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: i knew you'd make it!! here's to a long and rewarding career.
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Our Own Misconceptions

    VivaLasViejas replied to kmchugh's topic in General Nursing

    {{{{{{{{{Kevin}}}}}}}}} I am so sorry for what you and your dear mother have been going through.I don't know what it is with some medical professionals and the elderly......when my own mother was...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    I Think I've Just About Had It.......

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nursing Career

    What a beautiful, heartwarming post! Thank you, Imojean, your kind words are most
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Career Change and Family influence...

    VivaLasViejas replied to Curious1alwys's topic in General Nursing

    Sweetie, I was 31 when my own mother passed away, and it wasn't until she'd been gone for a few years that I realized how much she had held ME back, and how much damage our relationship had inflicted...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Frequent Fliers and caring for them

    VivaLasViejas replied to RNAnna's topic in Medical-Surgical

    I'm glad to be of help. :) However, one statement really jumped out at me---the part where you said "I thought all people in the hospital really wanted to get better"---and I've got to warn you, there...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    I Think I've Just About Had It.......

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nursing Career

    Anytime, jyoung.........that's what we're here for! I wish I had some words of wisdom for you, but I don't, so all I can say is, THANK YOU for doing what is one of the hardest and most thankless jobs...