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

    discharge/admit nurse

    VivaLasViejas replied to ambitiousblonde's topic in General Nursing

    The job isn't as cushy as it sounds. I did an 1100-1900 shift and ran the entire time, rarely getting lunch or breaks because I was also the break nurse. The hours were great and there were no...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    I'm a nurse and I don't like people.

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

    I used to be an extrovert, but years of dealing with people's drama sapped my joy and made me turn inward. I don't always like it here, but it's more comfortable. I don't have to put up with families...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Whole Lotta Pain...how much longer can I do this?

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

    Please talk with your healthcare provider. I'm sorry, but we cannot offer you medical advice per the Terms of Service, and it's out of our scope of practice to recommend treatments of any kind,...
  4. VivaLasViejas

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

    VivaLasViejas replied to MeAndArmini's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    It's good that you're so self-aware, because your schedule is a nightmare for neurotypicals, let alone people with our diagnosis. Is there any way you can get on a regular schedule so that your sleep...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Behavioral health

    VivaLasViejas replied to Vishwamitr's topic in Psychiatric

    I dislike the term "behavioral health". It makes it sound as though all mentally ill people do (bad) things on
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Health Dept

    VivaLasViejas replied to wtf4527's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Every survey team has a manager back in the home office. You can contact this person by calling the agency and asking to talk to him/her. Make sure to document names, dates, times of the alleged...
  7. VivaLasViejas

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

    VivaLasViejas replied to SmilingBluEyes's topic in General Nursing

    I used to be snarkier both here and in everyday life (medication helped that, lol). Seriously though, I just grew up a little more and realized how I was coming across. That doesn't mean I sugarcoat...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Am I cut out for nursin?

    VivaLasViejas replied to mj123's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    Only you can answer that question. For what it's worth, my son also took a couple of years of prerequisites before he was accepted to nursing school. And he didn't get into his first choice of...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Calling a transgender patient an "it"

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

    No. No. This is wrong on so many levels I cannot even wrap my mind around it. That nurse shouldn't be permitted to work again until he has taken some kind of sensitivity course to make him at least...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    I don't want to be a quitter.

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

    While we cannot diagnose your problem here on a nursing forum, the fact that your doctor wants you on antianxiety medication is telling. It's very difficult to work on anxiety/panic issues if you're...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    MN New Nurse with History

    VivaLasViejas replied to BlueDaisy's topic in Nurses Recovery

    How would the BON know about your past? There is no need to bring it up; you're two years into sobriety and it's none of their business as long as you stay that way. Don't "out" yourself, believe me,...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Eliminating the Stigma Associated with Mental Health Nursing

    VivaLasViejas replied to Jessica Quigley's topic in Psychiatric

    Mental health may not be everyone's cup of tea, but there's no area of nursing where MH issues aren't encountered. Mentally ill people get pneumonia, have babies, need case management; that's because...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    New Grad feeling depressed, anxious and hopeless

    VivaLasViejas replied to MedSurgRN193's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Don't be too quick to dismiss medications. They can help you get through the current crisis until you're on firmer footing. It doesn't mean you'll have to stay on meds for the rest of your life; many...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Esme Needs Your Prayers

    VivaLasViejas replied to ixchel's topic in General Nursing

    Sending love and continuing prayers for your recovery, my dear
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Jacob Rockstar-RN Psych Nurse Action Figure

    VivaLasViejas replied to Davey Do's topic in Psychiatric

    This is a thread even psych patients can enjoy. Keep 'em coming,
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Jacob Rockstar-RN Psych Nurse Action Figure

    VivaLasViejas replied to Davey Do's topic in Psychiatric

    Okay you guys, I think I just peed myself
  17. VivaLasViejas

    But you're a nurse, you could've done this....

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

    Exactly what the OP did. I'm not qualified or objective enough to make that assessment on my own
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Jacob Rockstar-RN Psych Nurse Action Figure

    VivaLasViejas replied to Davey Do's topic in Psychiatric

    This reminds me of the single housefly that somehow got through three locked doors to buzz us patients during groups (this was when I was in a psych unit last fall). The thing drove us nuts, but at...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Eliminating the Stigma Associated with Mental Health Nursing

    VivaLasViejas replied to Jessica Quigley's topic in Psychiatric

    My psych clinical consisted of two days in the inpatient unit. At the time I was scared, but as I got into the rhythm of the unit I realized that the patients were just regular folks who were in a...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Returning after FMLA leave, please share.

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

    My return after going out on medical leave did not go well, alas. I was out for three weeks due to a mental health crisis, and when I got back I was told they couldn't make reasonable accommodations...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    disturbing observation at the Children's hospital...

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

    I've got 14 years on you and I didn't really have trouble getting jobs until my mid-50s. And I've never been a skinny Minnie since I had my first child. I think what finished me off was my history of...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Documenting "Falls"

    VivaLasViejas replied to HehLPN's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    A fall is an unanticipated change in planes. If you see the resident lower himself to the floor intentionally, it's not a fall. Technically it is one if he's found on the floor with no witnesses to...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    popping blisters, abcesses, etc

    VivaLasViejas replied to lumbarpain's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I once knew an LPN who thought nothing of doing sharp debridement of diabetic ulcers with scissors! She was fascinated with wounds, abscesses etc. and thought for some reason that she was qualified to...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Want to be a nurse, just no butt wiping or other yucky stuff please

    VivaLasViejas replied to Emergent's topic in General Nursing

    Amen to the above! If you can't abide the thought of cleaning up bodily fluids, you can't be a nurse. It's as simple as
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Off sick with stress. Very sad :-(

    VivaLasViejas replied to Fluffy bear's topic in Health, Stress Management

    I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I know what it's like to be stretched so thin, like a rubber band that finally snaps in the middle. I too have had to be put out of work due to stress, so you...