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

    Required to disclose hx of depression

    VivaLasViejas replied to Lucidity's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    It's possible. Employers tend not to be very understanding of mental health issues. If you've been stable for seven years and are not on meds, there really is no need to disclose your medical history....
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Appropriate to go to a patients funeral?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Emily456's topic in LPN, LVN Corner

    I have attended funerals of certain patients/residents with whom I bonded. It always made the families happy that their loved one's nurse would take the time to come pay last respects, but it was also...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Do you talk to yourself?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Emergent's topic in General Nursing

    Of course I answer myself. If I didn't, who
  4. VivaLasViejas

    skill base/knowledge

    VivaLasViejas replied to Scout'smom's topic in Retired Nurses

    Frankly, I think you found your calling. If you want to keep your technical skills intact, you can always take refresher courses and go to conferences for nurses. Pulling out the old textbooks, not so...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    "Public" Perceptions Changing?

    VivaLasViejas replied to guest449786's topic in Nursing Humor

    Ugh. I watched only about a minute and a half and that was enough for
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses' week gifts!

    VivaLasViejas replied to klone's topic in General Nursing

    I must have worked in some really cheap places.....about the coolest Nurses Week gifts I ever got was a tote bag at one place and a pen at another. Most didn't even recognize Nurses Week. I'm glad for...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    "What to Expect When You're a Patient"

    VivaLasViejas replied to Graduatenurse14's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    When I was a nurse, I used to invest 10-15 minutes at the beginning of the shift in my most challenging patient/family, discussing what the goals were for that shift, dealing with pain and answering...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Good News!

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Yes, it really took a lot of pressure off my back. Now I'm at least contributing to the family funds---I have felt TERRIBLE for not bringing any money in all these months. And there's no more pressure...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Coming out with mental health... or not?

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

    Don't disclose your illness at work. It's almost always a bad idea. If you have someone at work you can trust to be discreet, you could as them to do this for you, but I really think you're better off...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Leave Great Job?

    VivaLasViejas replied to WhiteBird2's topic in General Nursing

    There is going to be a huge influx of geriatric patients as we Baby Boomers move into old age. If working with the elderly is your passion, stick with it! There are many opportunities in this field...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Unit nurses...how do you feel about an outsider becoming manager?

    VivaLasViejas replied to klone's topic in General Nursing

    People can usually forgive anything but a co-worker who rises from the ranks. I'd vote for an external
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Texas

    VivaLasViejas replied to 2blvnnurse2016's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    The thing they will ask on the application is whether or not you've been diagnosed or treated for bipolar within the past five years, so even if you wind up being "un-diagnosed" with BP you may still...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Esme Needs Your Prayers

    VivaLasViejas replied to ixchel's topic in General Nursing

    Prayers continue for Esme and her
  14. VivaLasViejas

    How can I improve my reputation?

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

    As the saying goes, what others think of you is none of your business. You can't keep endlessly worrying about what your co-workers think or it will drive you crazy. Concentrate on the fact that your...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Can we just agree, being honest is not akin to being "rude"?

    VivaLasViejas replied to SmilingBluEyes's topic in General Nursing

    Haha! This thread looks like it's morphed into the "What's That Smell?" one. Aw, what the heck, it's more fun this way. As you
  16. VivaLasViejas

    WHATS THAT SMELL???

    VivaLasViejas replied to lumbarpain's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Back when I worked LTC, there were several residents with distinct aromas, and I always knew from the air wafting through the hallway which of them it was: "Hmm, smells like Marian's constipation has...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    WHATS THAT SMELL???

    VivaLasViejas replied to lumbarpain's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Or, better yet: "Hold my beer :roflmao:and watch this!"
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Texas

    VivaLasViejas replied to 2blvnnurse2016's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    From what I understand, Texas does allow nurses with MI to be licensed. However, they may require you to participate in a nurse monitoring program called TPAPN, in which you must attend counseling,...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Ph Nurse reborn

    VivaLasViejas replied to bevlogs's topic in Philippines

    I'd like to help you but I'm having a hard time understanding your post. What is bpo? And where are you located so we know how to direct you? Please
  20. VivaLasViejas

    What did you do when you got burnt out?

    VivaLasViejas replied to dreamer30's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Had a nervous breakdown. I'm not kidding. And then I took a two-month sabbatical while I figured out what to do next. I wound up taking a job as director of nursing services in an assisted living...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Taking care of DNR patients. The point?

    VivaLasViejas replied to cholmes1223's topic in General Nursing

    I'm a DNR. That means if I'm found down, with no respirations and no pulse, I want to be left alone so my soul can go free. BUT---until I reach that point, I want treatment that respects my dignity...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Black Humour

    VivaLasViejas replied to Tenebrae's topic in Nursing Humor

    Okay everybody, I have laughed my way through this entire thread, including videos, and I've been to the bathroom TWICE now for fear of peeing my pants!! I don't know how I missed this thread but I'm...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    This is my story... please read.

    VivaLasViejas replied to yngbehr's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Congratulations!!
  24. VivaLasViejas

    marijuana and nursing.

    VivaLasViejas replied to middleagednurse's topic in General Nursing

    My state recently legalized marijuana (although it's not official till July 1st). I am unaware of any law that says it's OK to indulge and work as a nurse, and I don't think that will change for the...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Esme Needs Your Prayers

    VivaLasViejas replied to ixchel's topic in General Nursing

    I'm so glad she's doing better, and I am also impatient waiting for her to get well so she can come back to us. We've all missed her wisdom and her giving spirit. Good thoughts and prayers continue,...