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

    Is Job Hopping the Norm for Nurses?

    VivaLasViejas replied to westieluv's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    I've had 7 jobs in the past 6 years, including one that lasted for 2 1/2 years. Part of my issues with holding onto jobs are a low tolerance for being treated like crap, the rest have to do with a...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Help, question about a patient

    VivaLasViejas replied to david0188's topic in Psychiatric

    People don't leave their medical problems behind when they step onto a psych unit. You were right to be concerned about this lady's SpO2 and take action, even though she's not symptomatic and has a...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Try to sing along!

    VivaLasViejas replied to mikethemurse's topic in Correctional

    Love it! You're a pretty good poet. I enjoy taking songs and substituting new lyrics too.....just wish I could remember my latest version of the 12 Days of Nursing.
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Goodby for now

    VivaLasViejas replied to PrayeRNurse's topic in School

    Smh. If a school nurse is not a "need-to-know" member of the staff, I don't know who would be. It's ridiculous. You are right to get out of Dodge as quickly as you can. Best of luck in finding a new...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Pedal pulses

    VivaLasViejas replied to shayandkaty's topic in General Nursing

    And if you do have difficulty finding PPs, when you do find them it's good to mark the spot with an X so it's easier for the next nurse. :) I seldom had trouble finding PPs, but I had a terrible time...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    What's your Myers-Briggs personality type?

    VivaLasViejas replied to bekahinpink's topic in General Nursing

    I'm
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Robin Williams RIP: Coping Mechanism?

    VivaLasViejas replied to aspiration's topic in Psychiatric

    I've heard that about him for years, but I don't think it's ever been made clear if he lived with bipolar or not. He certainly did seem manic a lot of the time, but maybe that was simply his stage...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    In need of career advice

    VivaLasViejas replied to 1137o's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Sometimes more is needed to deal with a situation like yours. Your best bet is to talk to your primary care physician about your fears and see if s/he thinks a referral to a mental health professional...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    National Suicide Prevention Day

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Health, Stress Management

    This is a subject which is very near and dear to my heart. I've felt that kind of desperation before and I know about the dark places where one can become lost if something (or someone) doesn't...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Med-surg nurse

    VivaLasViejas replied to RNnewbie2014's topic in General Nursing

    No, you're not crazy; what you are is in the honeymoon phase of your new job. You will probably be surprised at the intensity of the work once you are on your own; that's when almost everyone gets...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses need an outlet to manage stress

    VivaLasViejas replied to Pride/hardwork17's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Sometimes it's the job AND the person. And yes, depression and anxiety are real illnesses that deserve
  12. VivaLasViejas

    AT&T Will Keep Your Grandma Out of the Nursing Home

    VivaLasViejas replied to tnbutterfly - Mary's topic in General Nursing

    Wow. I see the capabilities of this technology, but Grandma and Grandpa deserve privacy as well as safety, and I for one would be FURIOUS if my kids wanted to install this system in my house to...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Employment physical

    VivaLasViejas replied to Babushka2's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I've never had to go through anything like that, but I've heard that quite a few employers will at least ask for a list of medications. In my opinion, one does not give up the right to privacy when...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Pt ages

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

    I can't disagree with firstinfamily's post, even though I wish I could because I'm part of the Baby Boomer generation---all of whom are now 50 and over---and I myself have several chronic illnesses...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Creepy Crawlies

    VivaLasViejas replied to 0.adamantite's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    650-lb male. Open wounds. Maggots. 'nuff
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Ever work with people who talk about church all the time?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nola009's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I certainly believe He
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Can an RN work at a legal pot farm?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Emergent's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    Hmm.....I'm essentially a retired RN too, and I'm having trouble finding a job outside nursing. Never thought about working at a pot farm. May have to consider
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Ever work with people who talk about church all the time?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nola009's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I am also "religious", meaning I attend Mass weekly (for the most part) and try to live out my faith by performing good works where I can. However, there is a place and a time for talking about my...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    The imposition of chemical restraints...

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nola009's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    The MDS nurse should contact the prescriber herself if she wants Norco given to this resident BID. Otherwise, a pain assessment needs to be done and documented each time the med is given.....the other...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    I feel like I'm backsliding

    VivaLasViejas replied to Swellz's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Your instincts are right in that you shouldn't transfer to a new floor right now; as a wonderful therapist told me years ago, you can work out your difficulties in this position, or you can work them...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    When being a patient...

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

    I used to work at the hospital where I go for care, so everybody knows me well. It's funny because they fall all over each other taking care of me. My family members get the same treatment, so it's...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Have any of you ever been stuck by a needle and not felt it?

    VivaLasViejas replied to ka2rn's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    I've stuck myself a couple of times, and believe me, I felt it. Even with an insulin needle. Luckily it happened before and not after I used it on a patient! You'll be fine, you would have known it if...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Thinking about nursing school while raising a toddler

    VivaLasViejas replied to kjw287638's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    I was a SAHM who went to college when my kids were 11, 9, 6, and 3. We were as poor as church mice, but thanks to a great support system I made it through pre-reqs and then the nursing program itself....
  24. VivaLasViejas

    My 8-month report

    VivaLasViejas replied to Cobweb's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    That's great
  25. VivaLasViejas

    high blood sugar?

    VivaLasViejas replied to stargirl018's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Your numbers are fine. You don't need to worry about diabetes just yet. The fact that you have a family history of DM does put you at a higher risk for the disease than the average person, but at 21...