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

    Recycled topics (vent)

    VivaLasViejas replied to Jedrnurse's topic in General Nursing

    The threads that are like fingernails on a chalkboard to me are the NETY ones, the "nursing is my dreaaaaaaaaam" (but I have a GPA of 2.0 or I failed my CNA exam) and especially the unending war on...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    How low would you go?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Goldenfox's topic in Nurse Practitioners, NP

    I wouldn't settle for that even as an ASN. I always made more than that, and I live in (mostly) poor Oregon.
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Disturbing Conversation on Overweight Healthcare Workers

    VivaLasViejas replied to FutureDNP2021's topic in General Nursing

    Well, I'm sorry to see that yet another thread about obesity in nursing has devolved into yet another name-calling and flame-throwing contest. Many similar threads have been closed for just this...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Over saturated health careers

    VivaLasViejas replied to Passingtime's topic in General Nursing

    My son hasn't even taken his NCLEX-PN yet and he's already got his first job lined up. So yes, there are jobs out there if you're willing to work "less desirable" jobs like those in long-term
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Identity Crisis

    VivaLasViejas replied to AntelopeTongue's topic in Nurses Recovery

    As I recall, it took me around five years to feel "at home" in my sobriety, so please take your time getting used to your new life. It's been almost 25 years since I took my last drink, but I'm still...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    You know the shift is gonna be a hot mess when ...

    VivaLasViejas replied to CardiacDork's topic in General Nursing

    When you step onto the unit and the wild-eyed charge nurse yells, "RUN! Run while you still
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Disturbing Conversation on Overweight Healthcare Workers

    VivaLasViejas replied to FutureDNP2021's topic in General Nursing

    That was an awesome story. Amazing how things aren't always what they
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Disturbing Conversation on Overweight Healthcare Workers

    VivaLasViejas replied to FutureDNP2021's topic in General Nursing

    I haven't read this entire thread, but I'd like to mention the fact that unlike other addictions, food "addicts" cannot get away from the source of their problems. We all have to eat to live. We don't...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Mental health breaks

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

    What a great photo! I'll bet you had a wonderful time there.
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Can a nurse lose license for hospitalization due to mental illness

    VivaLasViejas replied to flava66's topic in General Nursing

    Hello, and welcome to Allnurses! We're glad you're here. To answer your question: Yes, you do need to be truthful. There's always the remote possibility of getting caught, and that would be the...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    New nursing student with Bipolar 1 and ADHD

    VivaLasViejas replied to Niquolea26's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Hello, and welcome to Allnurses! We're glad you're here! I have to say first of all that you are one AMAZING person to have gone to college and made it into the nursing program. I have bipolar 1 too...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Linguistic Pet Peeves

    VivaLasViejas replied to Jedrnurse's topic in General Nursing

    I hate it when people use "less" in place of "fewer", as in "The patient reported she lost less pounds on a low-fat diet than on the Atkins diet". It should be "The patient reported she lost fewer...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses with Severe Mental Illnesses

    VivaLasViejas replied to PsychRNMac's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I've never been an actual psych nurse, although I did run a small LTC unit with medical patients who also had significant psych issues. I also live with Bipolar 1 and have had some adverse experiences...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Lost and need help turning around

    VivaLasViejas replied to SLF82's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I totally understand. I'm a new widow living on less than $1500/ month disability, and I have to live with my son's family because I can't afford to live on my own. It's HARD asking for help. But...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Lost and need help turning around

    VivaLasViejas replied to SLF82's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Hi there, and welcome to Allnurses! Yes, you can clean up a sketchy resume, but first you have to get stable and stay that way. Did you know job-hopping can be a sign of bipolar disorder? Neither did...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    I was misdiagnosed

    VivaLasViejas replied to Seahawk81's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    It took me about 12 years to get the right diagnosis (Bipolar 1). Before that I was treated only for depression, and I tried many antidepressants which either worked for a little while, or pooped out...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    I was misdiagnosed

    VivaLasViejas replied to Seahawk81's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    First of all, congratulations on getting the right diagnosis. It will make a world of difference in your treatment. I'm sorry you're having trouble at work, but my advice is NOT to disclose your...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Question about Cussing on the job.

    VivaLasViejas replied to Roda dendron's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    I think a write-up is in order here. Swearing at a co-worker is unnecessary and unprofessional. That being said, as a manager I wouldn't fire you based on one incident. I hope that doesn't happen to...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Opinions on Affordable Care Act?

    VivaLasViejas replied to lightpinkrose's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    The purpose of these assignments, aside from teaching a student how to do research, is to get her/him out into the world of nurses and interact with them in real time. "Interviewing" people on an...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    It Ain't Like The Movies!

    VivaLasViejas replied to madricka's topic in General Nursing

    Gotta love it when you see the MD sitting by the patient's bedside, waiting for him/her to wake up. I also laugh when I see docs transferring patients, inserting Foleys and positioning obese...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    WILTW 7/18: I'm tired :\ (complaint department and other things)

    VivaLasViejas replied to ixchel's topic in General Nursing

    I learned that sometimes GoFundMe is necessary. It's the only way I'll be able to pay for my husband's funeral expenses. I never knew arrangements were so costly! We both are on Social Security so no...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Are state surveys conducted on weekends?

    VivaLasViejas replied to 2737's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Surveyors are also known to come in on NOC shift, or they'll show up around 0700 before the administration and office people get
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Do you overspend on luxury items as a nurse?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Neywel120's topic in General Nursing

    I wish I hadn't been such an idiot about money. When I started out in nursing, I'd been so poor that anything over $30K/year felt like a fortune, and I spent accordingly. No more delayed gratification...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Is money everything in this profession?

    VivaLasViejas replied to WhyNurse's topic in General Nursing

    My school had the traditional capping ceremony complete with the Nightingale Pledge and the candles. I do not, however, remember taking a vow of poverty. Money was part of the reason why I became a...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    When our older nurses die :(

    VivaLasViejas replied to Emergent's topic in General Nursing

    You can say THAT again. Nursing hasn't been the same since TPTB turned hospitals and nursing homes into