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

    I almost got into a FIGHT!! Please HELP!!!

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

    Take a self-defense class. You will need it where you're working, and even if you end up working somewhere else that's less risky. You also may want to consider taking a course in crisis prevention....
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Can I be a nurse with an anxiety disorder?

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

    Welcome to Allnurses! We're glad you're here. Yes, a lot of nurses suffer from anxiety disorders (myself included) and still manage to have good careers. It sounds like you've done your homework on...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Future Nurse with Bipolar 2 Disorder

    VivaLasViejas replied to izeli74's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Welcome to Allnurses! I'm a longtime RN with bipolar 1 and anxiety disorders, and I think you most definitely can be a nurse if you can achieve and maintain stability. Nursing is stressful, to be...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Assisted living

    VivaLasViejas replied to sistasoul's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Yes. Most won't, but occasionally there is a facility that will take direct admits. My sister is one of them. I wouldn't say her place is the nicest, but it could be a lot worse. Fifteen percent of...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Is it OK to give baking soda and water to LTC patient without a doctor order?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Blackcat99's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Me neither. Not without a physician's order. I don't even slather Calmoseptine on someone's bottom without a provider's
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Nursing Arrogance

    VivaLasViejas replied to Flowerchild6065's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I couldn't agree
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Current events group

    VivaLasViejas replied to atypical_psych_rpn's topic in Psychiatric

    I'm not sure if that's such a good idea. For one thing, feelings are running high in our part of the world these days, and discussing current events may agitate some patients, not to mention start...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Staff Development Woes

    VivaLasViejas replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Argh, I remember going through something similar when I was in staff development (however briefly). All the SLJs (crappy little jobs) ended up in my lap---PPDs, time-sheet reviews, background checks,...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Assisted living

    VivaLasViejas replied to sistasoul's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Actually, some ALs do admit Medicaid residents. Medicare, on the other hand, does not cover AL or any form of long-term care except for SNF patients who are receiving rehab services, and even that...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Nursing Arrogance

    VivaLasViejas replied to Flowerchild6065's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I think "arrogance" is too strong a word to be used here. The fact that something like too stupid to live made it from AN to Facebook is no big deal IMHO. The general public isn't going to be aghast...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    still at it.

    VivaLasViejas replied to guycna95's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Your drinking isn't a habit---it's a problem. And unless you deal with it, nothing else you do is going to help much. You need to find out the root cause(s) of the drinking and either stop, or learn...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    I can't get "poop" taste out of my mouth?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Philly85's topic in General Nursing

    I'll never forget the first time that happened to me, during my first job at a SNF. I'd been out of nursing school for a whole 2-3 months so I was still very green, which was probably the color of my...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Can I join the army with asthma

    VivaLasViejas replied to Thevigilante's topic in Government, Military

    My oldest son got into the Army with asthma. His is mild intermittent and he seldom uses his inhaler. He had no problem getting
  14. VivaLasViejas

    question regarding non-skid socks

    VivaLasViejas replied to annedurias's topic in General Nursing

    Where I go to the hospital, they give the patients non-skid socks with the grippers on both top and bottom. That way, if the socks don't stay in one place it's safer than if there were grippers only...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Stay-at-home mom terrified of re-entering workforce after mental health episode

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nurse Beth's topic in Career Advice Column

    Thanks, but I don't really want to return to nursing even if I could. Every time I even entertain the idea, my stomach clenches and I break out in a sweat. I am disabled not just because of physical...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Stay-at-home mom terrified of re-entering workforce after mental health episode

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nurse Beth's topic in Career Advice Column

    caliotter is right. Never disclose a mental illness to any prospective employer. Neither should you disclose after you're hired...it will probably not go well. I have bipolar disorder too and I lost...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Is walking away from patient care worth it?

    VivaLasViejas replied to thecrossfitrn's topic in General Nursing

    During my career, I switched between management and the floor several times. Each has its own good and bad points. I enjoyed being on the front lines of patient care and getting paid for all the hours...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Keeping License Active?

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Retired Nurses

    I think it varies by state. Here in OR it's 900 hours in the past five
  19. VivaLasViejas

    My employer keeps trying to get over on me, what should I do?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Spikey9001's topic in Home Health

    Just out of curiosity: why do you not have a driver's license? It seems incompatible with a home health type of
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Taking expired OTC meds home from workplace

    VivaLasViejas replied to emtricks's topic in Patient Medications

    Where I'm from it's called "unauthorized removal of drugs from the workplace" and can get one's license put on probation, suspended, or even revoked depending on how serious the theft was. It's not...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Support Planned Parenthood Today!

    VivaLasViejas replied to elkpark's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    I would have no problem with PP if it didn't do abortions. They offer services that help prevent abortions and generally do a lot of good in the community, but I think they should be funded by private...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Verge of nervous breakdown

    VivaLasViejas replied to skydancer7's topic in Health, Stress Management

    If there's anything I've learned from years of living with bipolar disorder, it's this: if you don't have your mental health, you've got nothing. I've also learned that we often lack insight into our...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    What was the REAL reason you called off

    VivaLasViejas replied to Orion81RN's topic in General Nursing

    This. ^^ I also called in once for cellulitis in my right leg. Walking on it hurt. Fortunately my manager understood and told me she didn't want me there anyway since I had MRSA. Hmmm, wonder
  24. VivaLasViejas

    The Enemy... The Nurse Manager

    VivaLasViejas replied to I.Am.A.Nurse.'s topic in Nurse Management

    Been there, done that, got the claw marks on my back to prove it. People can forgive anything but a manager who's risen through the ranks. It's the most thankless job there is, and I feel your pain,...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Assisted living

    VivaLasViejas replied to sistasoul's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Thank you! :) I'm glad you're re-thinking this job. It may not be quite as complicated as my job was, but life is indeed too short for the kind of stress all ALF nursing jobs entail. I personally...