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

    Assisted living

    VivaLasViejas replied to sistasoul's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I was the DNS for a 90-bed ALF. During my tenure, I had to supervise the med aides and resident assistants, participate in service plan meetings, write policies and procedures, field phone calls from...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    For The Love Of All That Is Holy . . . .

    VivaLasViejas replied to Ruby Vee's topic in General Nursing

    One of the most commonly misused words is diffuse versus defuse. I've seen "diffuse" written even in scholarly articles when the correct term is "defuse", as in deescalating a situation. You "diffuse"...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Nursing care plan HELP!

    VivaLasViejas replied to nursingforme2's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    Seriously, you need to have a NANDA book on hand. We cannot do your homework for you. AliNajaCat has given you some good suggestions to get you started. Also, if you're in a study group it might be...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Things LTC Nurses wish EMTs and Paramedics would understand.

    VivaLasViejas replied to downsouthlaff's topic in General Nursing

    There are several bones of contention that I used to have with EMS when I was an LTC nurse: 1) I don't CARE what the resident's insurance is. It's not like the responders themselves aren't going to...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Documenting on patient falls or what looks like one in LTC

    VivaLasViejas replied to lumbarpain's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    They're wanting your friend to falsify documentation because the state surveyors will eat them alive when they see the IR. She should NOT change her documentation. Like CapeCodMermaid said, if...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Severe anxiety

    VivaLasViejas replied to Socrates12358's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Yes, as others have said, you cannot wait to see a mental healthcare professional---preferably a psychiatrist. Have you ever been to one? They are better at managing meds than the average GP, who...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    How big are the re-injury risks in nursing?

    VivaLasViejas replied to ameline's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I'm sorry, but we really cannot offer medical advice per the Terms of Service. Your best bet is to talk with your doctor and find out what he/she recommends. Nursing can be very taxing both physical...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Hoyer Lift Issue

    VivaLasViejas replied to HomeHealthLPN's topic in Home Health

    Sounds to me you're literally being set up to fail. I know we often say "you should quit" on this forum, but in your case you should seriously consider it. Your agency doesn't give a rodent's rump...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Is working as LPN in Nursing home easy?

    VivaLasViejas replied to PoppyLizz's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    My son is an LPN in a skilled nursing facility who works his hind end off. Not only are there meds to pass, there are OT and PT and family members and doctors to deal with, admissions in the middle of...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Can you be a PMHNP w/ mental illness?

    VivaLasViejas replied to AspiringRN-MSN's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I think you might be getting ahead of yourself here. You'll want to get through your nursing program before you make any long-term plans. Who knows, you may wind up becoming an awesome psych nurse and...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    There is nothing we can do

    VivaLasViejas replied to nutella's topic in General Nursing

    Commuter, I am so sorry for your loss. Many (((((hugs))))) for
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Mispronunciations That Drive You Nuts

    VivaLasViejas replied to ixchel's topic in General Nursing

    "Ayvorastatin" for atorvastatin. "Diabeetus" for diabetes (that one drives me crazy!) "Virgina" for lady
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Norovirus going around!

    VivaLasViejas replied to Pharmahaulic's topic in General Nursing

    Sorry to laugh at your predicament, but that's funny! I hope you were able to convince the cops that you were just suffering from food
  14. VivaLasViejas

    What are you an "expert" in on your unit? Becoming the "go-to" guy/gal for ...

    VivaLasViejas replied to cjcsoon2bnp's topic in General Nursing

    I was the "IV whisperer" in my med-surg days. Even the ER sometimes called me to come start a line in a heroin abuser or someone who just had poor veins. I was also an expert in catheter insertion and...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Norovirus going around!

    VivaLasViejas replied to Pharmahaulic's topic in General Nursing

    I got norovirus when I worked at an assisted living facility. About 50 of our 85 residents were ill, and our administrator refused to close down the dining room even though I pleaded with him to do...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Can I be a registered nurse if I have bipolar disorder?

    VivaLasViejas replied to MeAndArmini's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Threads remain active until the moderators close them, which usually happens only when there have been no posts for a long time...sometimes a few years. Feel free to post anywhere, anytime.
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Call the family???

    VivaLasViejas replied to Penholder's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I always called the doctor and the family, unless the patient was A&O x 3 and asked me not to, in which case I documented the heck out of the incident, including (as much as possible) their exact...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Texas Nurse Surveyor

    VivaLasViejas replied to malenursewtx's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I would imagine the training is similar in all states, because the survey process itself is based on Federal rules and regulations. I was a surveyor for about five minutes back in 2014, and I can tell...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Forcing patients to attend groups?

    VivaLasViejas replied to femaleRN's topic in Psychiatric

    From a patient's perspective: I'm so glad they didn't lock the rooms when I was IP. For one thing, that's where our bathrooms were, and for another it would have deprived us of what little privacy we...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Nurse Manager/Admissions Coordinator

    VivaLasViejas replied to GeriatricNurseJen's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I know the feeling well. I was a care manager (RCM, or MDS nurse) and admissions coordinator for a small SNF/LTC for about 10 months back in 2001. I lasted that long only because the facility kept...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Coping skills for anxiety?

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

    I wish I had some words of wisdom for you, but I don't so I just wanted to let you know that someone is listening. Your job sounds incredibly stressful and I can't imagine being monitored all the...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    What are you like as a patient/the sick one?

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

    I'm like a cat: when ill, I'd prefer to hide myself away so I can die in peace. Haha! Seriously though, when I was in my own hospital for chest pain I recorded my own I & O and cleared my own IV...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Nursing Dreams and Nightmares

    VivaLasViejas replied to Joe V's topic in General Nursing

    I hung up my stethoscope three years ago and haven't worked in a hospital in a dozen years, but I have frequent nightmares that I'm back on my old unit and can't find anything, including my patients!...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Controversial Patient Odors in Nursing

    VivaLasViejas replied to TheCommuter's topic in General Nursing

    Worst smell I ever dealt with was that from a patient who was vomiting bloody feces. I don't think I got that odor out of my nose (and scrubs) for a
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Monitoring board as a mental health roadbump.

    VivaLasViejas replied to dirtyhippiegirl's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Are they telling you that you can't take meds for your bipolar? That sounds like they're actively trying to sabotage you. How are you supposed to get better if you're not allowed to take medications...