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

    Working full-time as an NA in nursing school

    VivaLasViejas replied to nrsingislife's topic in General Students

    I worked weekend 12-hour nights at the hospital as a CNA when I was going through nursing school and raising my four kids. I had a lot of help from my husband with the chores and the kids, he was...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Ten Ways To Know You're Burning Out

    VivaLasViejas posted a topic in Health, Stress Management

    Here's something a little different from the writer who usually brings you the funny top-10 lists. Recently, a good friend of mine I'll call "Viv"---an LPN who's worked at the same LTC for...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Finally resigned F/T nursing job-Relief is the word!

    VivaLasViejas replied to BlinkyPinky's topic in General Nursing

    I salute you! Good luck in your new
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Terminated. What now?

    VivaLasViejas replied to guest135581's topic in General Nursing

    Based on what you've said here, it sounds like the job just wasn't a good fit, and you can say that on your job application. You'll be given the chance to explain it at your interview if you're called...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    I felt burnt out and I'm not even working.

    VivaLasViejas replied to OrganizedChaos's topic in General Nursing

    Once you have stabilized in regards to your lupus, have you thought about trying Vocational Rehab? They help people with challenges to find and train for suitable employment within their capabilities....
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Are CNAs allowed to call family members about impending deaths?

    VivaLasViejas replied to chaki's topic in General Nursing

    You have a point. I was thinking about CNAs working in a hospital, LTC, hospice or assisted living
  7. VivaLasViejas

    The detail I missed that set my day on the wrong foot

    VivaLasViejas replied to ellisjl's topic in General Nursing

    My most embarrassing wardrobe malfunction happened when I was a student. We had to wear white uniforms in those days, which was difficult for me personally because I was really never meant to wear all...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Are CNAs allowed to call family members about impending deaths?

    VivaLasViejas replied to chaki's topic in General Nursing

    Sounds like BS to me. I can't imagine any circumstances under which a CNA would be permitted to estimate a time of death or call a patient's
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Now that they approved my reinstatement don't know if I want it

    VivaLasViejas replied to 5150RNKAT's topic in Retired Nurses

    Have you decided yet what you're going to
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses Week Giveaways - WIN Up To $4,000! Nurses Week 2018

    VivaLasViejas replied to Brian S.'s topic in General Nursing

    ...that the baby is already
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Florida Hospital Orlando Pay Scale/ Working Environment

    VivaLasViejas replied to ydnewrn's topic in General Nursing

    I was actually an ER patient there last Christmas (long story) and I thought it was a great place. There seemed to be enough nurses and doctors for the patient load, it was clean and the staff was...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Dealing with Stress at Work

    VivaLasViejas replied to Davey Do's topic in General Nursing

    When I worked nights, my favorite thing to do after sending my kids off to school was to take a long hot bath in this huge garden tub we had in the master bathroom. Sometimes I fell asleep in there...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Should I look for a new nursing job or wait?

    VivaLasViejas replied to jesst989's topic in General Nursing

    If you can possibly wait to look for a nursing job until the investigation is complete, you probably should. Applications for nursing positions almost always include a question about whether there is...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Insulin/glucose checks

    VivaLasViejas replied to Emilythenewgrad's topic in General Nursing

    I would never let a critical high blood glucose go until morning without rechecking after giving the SS insulin. What if it goes even higher? Not unheard of in brittle diabetics. I like Sour Lemon's...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    How much PTO does everyone get?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Camino77's topic in General Nursing

    Cheapest place I ever worked for paid me $20/hr and gave me 5 days PTO at the end of one year. Needless to say I did not work for them very
  16. VivaLasViejas

    New Nurse Blues

    VivaLasViejas replied to Miss-Hanabira's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Ruby Vee is spot on. The first year of nursing is almost universally hellish. We all have moments of self-doubt (and you don't have to be a first-year nurse to have them!). I don't think the...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Will marijuana ever be okay in nursing?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Bakingismylife's topic in General Nursing

    FWIW, I don't think marijuana will *ever* be acceptable in nursing, at least not in my lifetime. Tobacco is legal on both state and federal levels, yet many employers are refusing to hire nurses who...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Condom snorting

    VivaLasViejas replied to Kitiger's topic in General Nursing

    Nope.
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Thinking about returning to nursing

    VivaLasViejas replied to setsuna92's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    You have my sympathies. I'm a "retired" nurse with bipolar I who had to leave nursing entirely because of it. With the occasional hypomanic episode, I've been stable now for a couple of years, but I'm...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Help, I need your advise

    VivaLasViejas replied to jsw548's topic in Retired Nurses

    If I had the physical and mental energy to take care of a bunch of little kids, I'd never have left
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Condom snorting

    VivaLasViejas replied to Kitiger's topic in General Nursing

    When I was a kid the biggest challenges were eating uncooked rice and snorting Jello powder. That rice thing...ever try it? It just sits in your stomach like a rock. Half the sixth grade was out of...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    What do you do with your wedding ring?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nephron44's topic in General Nursing

    LOL, I didn't realize you were a guy---never looked at your avatar. DUH. Then I had to Google Qalo because I didn't know what that was. I'd think a silicone ring would be perfectly safe. I learn...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Oh no you didn't

    VivaLasViejas replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Uhhhh...oops?
  24. VivaLasViejas

    What do you do with your wedding ring?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nephron44's topic in General Nursing

    I wore mine, but left the engagement ring at home so it wouldn't scratch a patient (especially one with parchment-like skin!). Some people say nurses should not wear any rings at work, but I think...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Condom snorting

    VivaLasViejas replied to Kitiger's topic in General Nursing

    I saw a meme on Facebook today that said "Don't snort condoms---use them properly so you don't