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

    What is this question asking?

    VivaLasViejas replied to samirish's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    Youve been sober for 7 years. If your alcoholism doesn't interfere with your ability to practice safely, the answer should be No. No need to borrow
  2. VivaLasViejas

    New Bipolar DX

    VivaLasViejas replied to ShiRN's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Hello there, and welcome to Allnurses! I'm sorry you've had so much difficulty the past few months; I'm bipolar 1 myself and know what it's to try to hold down a job when my symptoms flare up. I...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Wellness Nurse Brookdale Senior Living

    VivaLasViejas replied to mariyahsmommy's topic in LTC: Directors, Assistant

    I did not find Brookdale to be a good company to work for. Too much emphasis on sales and marketing, not nearly enough on resident care. They also accepted any resident with assets and a pulse,...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Bipolar Weather

    VivaLasViejas replied to tnbutterfly - Mary's topic in Nursing Humor

    No offense taken.
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Sobriety and nursing school interviews

    VivaLasViejas replied to afbc's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Yes, good things do happen to alcoholics who stay sober. What an incredible inspiration your story is! Thank you for sharing your journey with us......and please keep us posted as to how you do with...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Forensic Evaluation w/ Polygraph test!! Upset and confused

    VivaLasViejas replied to mp108's topic in Nurses Recovery

    In two words: lawyer up. We cannot give legal advice here, and you will need someone qualified to represent you. Best of
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Dear Nursing Students: We Need to Talk About Homework Help

    VivaLasViejas replied to Rose_Queen's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    I wish I could Like the OP a hundred times. Good job, Rose
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Patient sitters are human too

    VivaLasViejas replied to boxermomma822's topic in Health, Stress Management

    You need to get your physical and mental health in order. Please see your psychiatrist as soon as possible; you may need your meds adjusted and/or some therapy to help you through this bad patch. You...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    complaint with Ohio Board of nursing

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

    I hope that is not your real name you're using. This is a serious matter and the less said about it on a public nusing message board, the better. Please seek the advice of your attorney and consider...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Ever hear of someone NOT being able to work night shift for health-related reasons??

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nola009's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Nights are out for me because I have bipolar disorder and they mess with my moods. As for 12-hour shifts, well.....I'm 56 and not in the best of shape. Truth be told, I had trouble with them even when...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Being a Hostage to Your Bladder

    VivaLasViejas replied to Lunah's topic in General Nursing

    I got bashful bladder the first time I ever did a UDS for work. It was awful--- I couldn't pee, I couldn't leave, and the place was closing for the day in half an hour. Talk about pressure..... At...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Fmla for depression/anxiety

    VivaLasViejas replied to baygrl11's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Please don't rely solely on medications to help you through this bad patch. Follow the recommendation of your psychiatrist and attend the CBT program. I know from my own experiences with bipolar 1...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Criteria for bipolar and monitoring?

    VivaLasViejas replied to medisec's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    It is a violation of HIPAA, in my opinion. But how do you fight that issue with the BON? They are all-powerful and can make us dance to whatever tune they want. Personally I didn't want to reveal my...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Criteria for bipolar and monitoring?

    VivaLasViejas replied to medisec's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Not all states require you to disclose a mental health diagnosis. Mine does, and since my bipolar 1 has basically ruined my career I did disclose it on my recent renewal. Guess what, they renewed it...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Recovery Anniversary

    VivaLasViejas replied to poppycat's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Congratulations!!! It's hard work, isn't it? That's what makes the victory all the sweeter. Keep up the good
  16. VivaLasViejas

    January 2015 Caption Contest: Win $100!

    VivaLasViejas replied to Joe V's topic in News, Announcements

    "That reminds me, my wife asked me to pick up some brownie mix at the store on my way
  17. VivaLasViejas

    I am Staying strong with Bipolar disorder

    VivaLasViejas replied to Tesfanurse's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    You are right not to disclose it in the workplace. Once it's out, you can't take it back and it will more than likely paint a target on your back. Mental illness shouldn't be something that people are...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Psych brought up the "D" word today

    VivaLasViejas posted a topic in Nurse Disabilities

    .....as in "disability". A year and a half ago, we had a brief discussion about this in which he told me he would never sign off on a disability claim for me, because he believed I was perfectly...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Happy New Year

    VivaLasViejas replied to GrumpyRN's topic in General Nursing

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!! May it bring us all good things.
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Ending the old and starting a new

    VivaLasViejas replied to nowim clean's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Congratulations!!! You made it!!!
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Anybody approved for SSDI for fibro?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Simba&NalasMom's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Thank you for providing that link, Esme. From there I went on to learn about how my own disability claim may/will be handled by SSA and what my attorney can do. Nothing like being prepared!
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Do you carry around your stethoscope?

    VivaLasViejas replied to tarotale's topic in General Nursing

    I hate to pile on, but.....I don't understand how an experienced nurse can do an assessment without a stethoscope, let alone a new nurse with a lot to learn. Maybe you can get away without one if...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Bathroom? What's a bathroom ... ???

    VivaLasViejas replied to Brian's topic in General Nursing

    I used to wish I could just insert a Foley and be done with it. But over time I developed "nurse's bladder" and now the thing's as big as a Winnebago's gas tank. I can hold it all day and half the...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Clinical social worker vs RN?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Healthcare102's topic in Nursing Career

    It's like comparing apples and oranges. Personally, I'd go for nursing in your place, so you can work in behavioral health AND get paid decently for the work you put in. You can get past dealing with...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    What if I can't get meds out on time during survey?

    VivaLasViejas replied to jnnfrbry's topic in Patient Medications

    I was a surveyor for a few months earlier this year. Surveyors are supposed to observe more than one med pass by more than one nurse, and on different shifts; so don't think you're the only one who...