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

    Are Your End-of-Life Wishes Clear?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Brian's topic in General Nursing

    I'm embarrassed to admit it, but NO---the advanced-directive papers I got when I was in the hospital two months ago are still sitting on my desk. :stone Maybe it's because I'm having trouble making...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    How can you say you're not paid well?

    VivaLasViejas replied to malusport's topic in Emergency

    I'm a certified Med/Surg nurse, and we get a 3% differential for having the certification which puts me somewhere upwards of $27 an hour. For the area I live in, that's pretty good......the local...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    "Are you saved?" How do YOU deal with these types of questions

    VivaLasViejas replied to porterwoman's topic in General Nursing

    Beautifully said, jeepgirl. ITA with
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Boneheaded Nursing: A Cautionary Tale

    VivaLasViejas posted a topic in General Nursing

    Here's how even experienced nurses can get into trouble: Yesterday at the three PM shift change, I picked up four new patients and a student, all of whom were in need of something or another that the...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    14 Hours: new TV Movie on 4/3/05, 8PM dealing w/ Hermann Hospital Flood & Evacuation

    VivaLasViejas replied to szccdw's topic in General Nursing

    I watched it last night, and I have to say it was rather refreshing to see nurses portrayed as actual working people instead of window dressing, like they are in "ER" and other medical shows. I...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Cpap?

    VivaLasViejas posted a topic in General Nursing

    Anybody here have any personal experience with CPAP? I need to know because it's probably in my not-too-distant future........I had an appointment with a sleep specialist yesterday, and he's about 99%...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    What Is Your Biggest Weakness?

    VivaLasViejas replied to RN2B07's topic in General Nursing

    Then I would have to say my biggest weakness in nursing is a strong dislike of doing ADLs. Handling someone else's dentures makes me want to :barf01:, and I don't enjoy toileting, feeding, bathing...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    What Is Your Biggest Weakness?

    VivaLasViejas replied to RN2B07's topic in General Nursing

    In nursing, or life in
  9. VivaLasViejas

    "Are you saved?" How do YOU deal with these types of questions

    VivaLasViejas replied to porterwoman's topic in General Nursing

    Which is why polite society just didn't discuss such things in the past........this attitude seems quaint now, but it did prevent a lot of the discomfort and awkward social situations we find...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Is This Standard Now With Pap Smears

    VivaLasViejas replied to payday's topic in General Nursing

    Yep, I've always had the clinical breast exam along with the pelvic. Never knew you could have one without the other.........but I've already had two cancer scares, so I wouldn't WANT to skip the...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Veiws On Living Wills

    VivaLasViejas replied to nad's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    Hi, Nad, and welcome! Just a little FYI on Net etiquette.......typing in all capital letters indicates that you are shouting! It's also really hard on the eyes. In Oregon, where I live, there are...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Scripting: Yea or Nay?

    VivaLasViejas replied to UM Review RN's topic in General Nursing

    Scripting.......egads. Thank God my hospital still believes its nurses are professionals, not parrots!! It just astounds me that some business types seem to think we have no brains, and worse yet, no...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    "Are you saved?" How do YOU deal with these types of questions

    VivaLasViejas replied to porterwoman's topic in General Nursing

    That's a very appropriate and diplomatic response, and I can imagine you probably get a lot of conversation in return. If you don't want to go even that far (and there's no reason to, unless you're...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    What is so darned difficult about oral care?

    VivaLasViejas replied to lovingtheunloved's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    :barf01: I'd be willing to bet it's not just laziness or neglect........some people really don't do well with oral care because it's so GROSS. :stone I've always turned green when handling dentures...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Difficult Post/CVA Patient

    VivaLasViejas replied to kamara23's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    RCM=Resident Care
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Therapeutic Communication

    VivaLasViejas replied to HididiScribbler's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    What premnrs said. :) Seriously......therapeutic communication sounds stilted when you're first trying it out, but years from now when you've been faced with angry and/or violent patients a few times...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Criminal Records

    VivaLasViejas replied to Sirena922's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    We just had a very long, and very ugly, debate on this subject recently, so to answer your question simply: Check with your state's board of nursing. They are the only ones who can tell you for
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Taking Care of yourself.

    VivaLasViejas replied to Mccm219's topic in General Nursing

    Good advice, Renee........it's a lesson we all need to learn. I know, for I'm learning it the hard way.........will I EVER get it through my head that I'm not 25 anymore and thus can't treat my body...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Difficult Post/CVA Patient

    VivaLasViejas replied to kamara23's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I'm not an MD, but it doesn't take a medical degree to figure out that this woman is depressed.......and PISSED OFF!! Look at what she's dealing with here: her whole life has changed, she's lost her...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Absolutely the most entertaining birth plan I have ever read....

    VivaLasViejas replied to Mermaid4's topic in Ob/Gyn

    Awwwww, thanks Deb. I'm blushing :imbar I have a feeling she'll figure it out pretty soon.........like when they put that brand-new little life in her arms for the very first time :biggringi Then...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Absolutely the most entertaining birth plan I have ever read....

    VivaLasViejas replied to Mermaid4's topic in Ob/Gyn

    I think my own daughter (6 months pregnant) could have written that birth plan......especially the part about the annoying mother who means
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Artificial feeding-Terri Schiavo

    VivaLasViejas replied to ktwlpn's topic in General Nursing

    He doesn't have to 'allow' her parents to have a Mass of Christian Burial.....they can do this in their home parish church if they want to, and he can't do a thing about it. I'm sure their priest...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Artificial feeding-Terri Schiavo

    VivaLasViejas replied to ktwlpn's topic in General Nursing

    Same here.......while I rejoice that she is finally at rest in the arms of our Lord, I am still saddened and angered at the manner in which she came to be there. May God forgive us all, and grant her...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Demanding Patient

    VivaLasViejas replied to bikeracer5313's topic in General Nursing

    And I'll bet his room is at the farthest end of the hall....... I'll tell you right up front that meds are not the answer for patients like this gentleman. There isn't a medication in the world that's...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Wearing uniform enhances nursing profession?

    VivaLasViejas replied to VEVINA's topic in General Nursing

    Oh, gawd, not THIS issue