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

    Downtime=Productivity

    VivaLasViejas replied to Onconurs's topic in General Nursing

    Hello, and Welcome to Allnurses! I've been in middle management for a good portion of my career, and I've had to deal with situations like you've described---you're new, and you find yourself needing...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Help! Court Date Conflicts With New Job

    VivaLasViejas replied to CarryThatWeight's topic in General Nursing

    If the officer doesn't show up, it's like Christmas time for you. Best to ask for a continuation of your case and hope he won't be there, because then they have to dismiss the
  3. VivaLasViejas

    family issues

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

    Yes.....please keep us posted. We'll be here for you whenever you need us.
  4. VivaLasViejas

    noncompliant resident in assisted living care

    VivaLasViejas replied to rehctelf's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Sometimes you have to gently set limits with these folks, at least if they're A & O. When you go into their room, set a time limit for how long you can stay and ask them what you can do for them...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Sure didn't expect this!

    VivaLasViejas replied to thegreenmile's topic in Retired Nurses

    Age discrimination is very much alive and well these days. Employers can't NOT hire based on age alone, but they can (and will) find a million other reasons not to hire an experienced nurse who's past...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    How is Chamberlain Nursing Program? Can I work full time while in the program?

    VivaLasViejas replied to sakin72's topic in Chamberlain College

    Hello, and Welcome to Allnurses! I'm not familiar with the program you're talking about, but I thought I'd stop by and say "We're glad you're here!" Hopefully someone will come along shortly who can...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Fun with charting.

    VivaLasViejas replied to Bortaz's topic in General Nursing

    One of the weird things I do when I'm bored is peruse my online medical record to see test results, as well as what my doctors are saying about me. I can't read all their notes, but the account of my...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Any assisted living directors who care to share stress level?

    VivaLasViejas replied to buzy1bee's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I would not recommend ALF nursing. I was a DON for several years and the stresses of the job almost drove me into a psych unit. You are responsible 24/7/365 for all of the residents and your care...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    ALF staffing and workload

    VivaLasViejas replied to pinkiepieRN's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    RUN---do not walk---away from this job. As the RN you'll be solely in charge of caregivers who may not even be certified, and it will be up to you to perform all admission and quarterly assessments...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Gifts for Patients?

    VivaLasViejas replied to catebsn25's topic in General Nursing

    I think that's a great idea. It doesn't have to be expensive, just the stockings and some little food gifts would likely be very much appreciated. When I was IP at Halloween, the nurses brought in...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Should I take time off? Help!

    VivaLasViejas replied to trauma_lama's topic in Nursing Career

    I went to nursing school when my children were quite young, and worked all through their grade-school, middle school and high school years. I did it because I was the major breadwinner, but also I...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Can an employer ask you what medications you are taking?

    VivaLasViejas replied to blah_blah_blah's topic in General Nursing

    I've never minded peeing in a cup for a UDS, although I still hold the position that what an employee does on his/her own time is none of the employer's business. But there's a big difference between...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    How many different nursing positions have you had?

    VivaLasViejas replied to LittleMissVixen410's topic in General Nursing

    In 17 years of nursing I held 13 different jobs. A couple of times I was working two or three part-time jobs, but for the most part I just didn't stay at one job for longer than 2 1/2 years. I had my...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses smoking e cigs at the station?

    VivaLasViejas replied to richardgecko's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    Are you kidding me??! How can they get away with
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Can an employer ask you what medications you are taking?

    VivaLasViejas replied to blah_blah_blah's topic in General Nursing

    What I have to say about this and 50 cents will only get you so far, but if you find yourself in the position of having to disclose your medication list, you might want to inquire what the information...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    How much trouble am I ? Scale: 1 to super fired

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

    I'd be out of there in a New York minute. Best to 'git while the gittin's
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Trying to find a job

    VivaLasViejas replied to Bella08's topic in Retired Nurses

    I know the feeling! I've been out of nursing for the past year and couldn't find a job in ANY field. It's strange---you'd think nursing would have a lot of transferable skills, but it doesn't. I...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Justify this nursing diagnosis

    VivaLasViejas replied to malenurse69's topic in General Nursing

    I sense a disturbance in the
  19. VivaLasViejas

    A Good Nurse Manager...

    VivaLasViejas replied to Emergent's topic in Nurse Management

    As a former DNS, I tried very hard to embody these lovely attributes, but let me tell you that middle management is one of the most thankless jobs in the universe. You basically catch crap all day...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    accused of drug diversion,i do maintain my innocence however i cant afford an attorney

    VivaLasViejas replied to foxynurse78's topic in General Nursing

    You can't afford NOT to have an attorney. There are some that specialize in nursing issues and can be found through a network whose name I can't recall at this time, hopefully someone will come along...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Dwindling faith in this profession

    VivaLasViejas replied to mclennan's topic in Nursing Professionalism

    A lot of the care has been taken out of healthcare. It was one of the myriad of reasons why I left nursing a year ago. It's all about the Benjamins, at every level. I don't know what it will take to...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Go ahead laugh. Laughter keeps you from going crazy.

    VivaLasViejas replied to Joe V's topic in Nursing Humor

    Like sirI, funerals are humorous for me as well. I remember one very well. I was fine until a woman got up to sing "Wind Beneath My Wings". She was loud and OFF-KEY. Now, the one thing that strikes me...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    The Importance of the Need for Early Vascular Access Identification

    VivaLasViejas replied to Beverly Sampson, BSN, RN,'s topic in General Nursing

    I'm so glad to see this subject addressed. My sister was in the hospital a few months ago and had to stay for eight days. During this time she had to have her IV changed at least once per day, as her...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Nurse.com Magazine Subscription

    VivaLasViejas replied to acjb2004's topic in General Nursing

    They used to be very negative about Allnurses in their discussion forums. They even had a special section where members with an axe to grind were basically encouraged to bash us. I hope that's...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Negotiating the Holiday Off

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

    I remember one time when I had to work Christmas Eve night, and feeling rather resentful about it. Then I drove past a 7-11 where one lone clerk was ringing up a half-case of beer for a customer, and...