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

    Too ugly to be a nurse..?!?

    VivaLasViejas replied to RandomNurse2b1's topic in General Nursing

    It sounds to me like you belong in nursing. I would caution you about one thing, however, and that is using the term Nurse in your user name when you're not one yet. Technically it is against the law...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    falling asleep during nightshift

    VivaLasViejas replied to nightlightnurseaide's topic in General Nursing

    I can't put my finger on it, but something about this thread is like biting on tinfoil. It's just not...right. It's NOT OK to fall asleep on night shift, but it's treated here like it's no big deal. I...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    At a crossroad

    VivaLasViejas replied to Jas10's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Welcome to Allnurses. You have been through so much and I commend you for standing strong and fighting for yourself. I'll be honest here. If you are happy with what you're doing now (and you seem to...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    We are not saints! (just because we work hard)

    VivaLasViejas replied to Emergent's topic in General Nursing

    I remember a scene from "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" where Clark Griswold gets frustrated trying to get the Christmas lights to work, and his daughter says, "You worked really hard, Daddy."...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Foley Catheter Issue?

    VivaLasViejas replied to JustANurse2018's topic in General Nursing

    I get nasty bladder spasms when I have a Foley in. The only thing that helps me is
  6. VivaLasViejas

    How to relax after a bad shift

    VivaLasViejas replied to EDNURSE20's topic in General Nursing

    I used to work the 3-11 shift. To decompress after a bad shift, I'd crank up the car stereo and play classic rock as loud as I could stand it on the way home. Then I'd peel off all my clothes on the...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Nurse Surveyor

    VivaLasViejas replied to Trccook's topic in General Nursing

    I was a surveyor for the state of Oregon several years ago. I ended up washing out of the training program due to some personal medical problems as well as needing to be with my husband, who was...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Question about med administration error

    VivaLasViejas replied to Hrickett's topic in General Nursing

    For future reference, you don't want to inject anything over 1 ml into the deltoid, especially not something as viscous as Rocephin. It's uncomfortable for the patient and you want a nice, large...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    What would you do?

    VivaLasViejas replied to notTHATjersey's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    You may want to tell her that it is *against the law* to impersonate a nurse. Seriously, it's illegal, and at least in theory she could wind up in trouble, especially if someone comes to harm as a...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Can't stop thinking about work

    VivaLasViejas replied to Michelles87's topic in General Nursing

    Had a nervous breakdown. I'm serious. I'd been working on a med/surg floor for almost three years, which is longer than I've ever held any other nursing position, and I felt a lot like you---thinking...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    RN's and LPN's working as Nursing Assistants?

    VivaLasViejas replied to blackmamba123's topic in General Nursing

    When I was working my first job as an RN, I had the worst of all worlds---I was the charge nurse for 28 residents, *plus* I was the CNA for a group of eight patients whom I had to get up and do their...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Long hair at the bedside

    VivaLasViejas replied to kakamegamama's topic in General Nursing

    I always wore my long hair in a bun or put it up in a clip. No way did I want it hanging in whatever I was doing, whether it was a bed bath or a blowout code brown. (I did cut it short once, which was...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Are state surveys conducted on weekends?

    VivaLasViejas replied to 2737's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I was a surveyor in Oregon a few years ago, and in theory we could, indeed, enter at any time day or night, weekend or holiday. We didn't do that in the time I was there, but once there was a...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Question for you retired RNs

    VivaLasViejas replied to Grobyc82's topic in Retired Nurses

    The way I retired (going on disability) was not the way I would have chosen, nor was 55 the age I'd planned to retire. However, I enjoy my life...I'm no longer tired all the time, I can get up and go...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Pre-Employment Physical Attire

    VivaLasViejas replied to EmxoRenee's topic in General Nursing

    I wish I could un-see
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Long hair at the bedside

    VivaLasViejas replied to kakamegamama's topic in General Nursing

    You lost me at "roots". There is no requirement for nurses to keep their hair color touched up or their upper lips waxed. While they may not be aesthetically pleasing, nurses go to work to WORK, not...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Falling Asleep

    VivaLasViejas replied to NurseRatchet777's topic in General Nursing

    And for goodness' sake, go see your doctor if you have any ongoing medical
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Allnurses helped me get my act together (almost quit nursing)

    VivaLasViejas replied to LPNewbie's topic in General Nursing

    We love it when nurses grow in knowledge and wisdom, and learn better ways to do things. So glad to hear you're connecting the dots. Thanks for coming back and sharing your progress with
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Hprp special option test on probation

    VivaLasViejas replied to RNEulogy's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Sorry if this sounds harsh, but...why in the world are you drinking at all? You're playing with fire and WILL get burned at some point if you don't stop it entirely. It may not be fair, but it's how...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Emetophobia: victory stories

    VivaLasViejas replied to Litteblackcat's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Mouths and feet were my nursing Kryptonite. I could handle puke, poop, blood, guts and the occasional infected wound without gagging, but give me a pair of grody dentures or make me pull the socks off...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Rethinking My Choice To Be A Nurse

    VivaLasViejas replied to kassthebadass's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I wish I could give you a hug! Your pain is palpable. I feel for you because I have bipolar I and know how out-of-control it can get. My case was incompatible with my career and I had to leave and go...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    130k Student debt for Entry MSN worth it?

    VivaLasViejas replied to ns90's topic in General Students

    Nope, nope, nope. Don't do it. You'll never get out from under that debt.
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Concerns about a nurse

    VivaLasViejas replied to Platypus's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I'm not old (yet), but I had to leave nursing because of cognitive issues that stem from certain medications I take for a medical condition that affects my brain. I'm glad I realized how bad it was...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Three 12s vs Five 8s

    VivaLasViejas replied to jive turkey's topic in General Nursing

    I chose the in-between option: Four 8's per week. It only came out to 32 hrs/wk but that was all my mind and body could take, and everywhere I worked it was considered full-time for benefit purposes....
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Not hearing from former nurse co-workers

    VivaLasViejas replied to BlinkyPinky's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I agree with the other posters. Work "friends" rarely turn out to be real friends. We may work with them quite happily and be their buddy for a season, but it usually ends when we leave the job. I...