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

    Keeping License Active?

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Retired Nurses

    I've had enough clinical hours in the past 2 years to be able to renew. Next time I'll probably have to give up my license for lack of practice hours. But I'm not going to worry about it now, and who...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Keeping License Active?

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Retired Nurses

    It does sound like I have nothing to lose by keeping my license active, at least for the next two years. After that I probably won't have enough practice hours, but I'll cross that bridge when I come...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Confidence shaken/looking 4 a new job

    VivaLasViejas replied to Cisl4him's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I wouldn't disclose that during the interview process. No need to shoot yourself in the foot before you even get out of the starting gate. You can always bring it up during your orientation once you...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Thoughts on the use of the word "battle" within popular Oncology culture

    VivaLasViejas replied to RN'd's topic in Oncology

    Personally, watching my husband deal with his cancer, I think the war metaphors are pretty much spot-on. He takes chemo pills every day to "kill" off cancer cells, and he "fights" to keep a positive...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Can NCLEX decline your application because of Bipolar disorder

    VivaLasViejas replied to HakunaMatata<3's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I'm pretty vocal here about my illness, and everyone who knows me knows I have it. I've also written a number of articles here about my experiences with BP and nursing. It's out there in the working...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Can NCLEX decline your application because of Bipolar disorder

    VivaLasViejas replied to HakunaMatata<3's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Marvelmom: You're managing your BP 1 on only Lamictal? How extraordinary.....I don't even want to talk about how many meds it takes to handle mine. What's your secret? Seriously, you are very...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Can NCLEX decline your application because of Bipolar disorder

    VivaLasViejas replied to HakunaMatata<3's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    They won't, unless you disclose your diagnosis to them. The problem with all this is, of course, if you have a severe mood episode and need to go inpatient. In some states, the treating facility is...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Can NCLEX decline your application because of Bipolar disorder

    VivaLasViejas replied to HakunaMatata<3's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I agree with all of the above posters. If your bipolar is under good control, it is none of anyone else's business but yours and that of your psychiatrist. If you look around the site you'll meet a...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    How to deal with a Disability of your own

    VivaLasViejas replied to gjc5164's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I'm still working on that one. I too am diagnosed with a long-term disability (bipolar 1 disorder) and have had to leave nursing because I just couldn't handle it anymore. I am 55 so re-inventing...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Any questions for reducing anxiety?

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

    I for one would never advise you to go the LTC route. It's just as cutthroat as acute care, and the object of many facilities is to wring as much work out of their nurses (and pay as little) as...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Hating Med-Surg

    VivaLasViejas replied to rae313's topic in General Students

    If you dislike Med/Surg, don't do it! Nursing is hard enough without having a job you hate. I've seen new grads go directly into specialties and do just fine.....follow your passion and you'll never...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Should I dress up?

    VivaLasViejas replied to AnnieOaklyRN's topic in General Nursing

    I agree. It never hurts to dress up in a conservative, classic suit or dress with sensible, low-heeled shoes. If your hair is long, put it up or tie it back. Go light on the makeup and perfume. And...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Need help please - Should I self report?

    VivaLasViejas replied to dcdvs's topic in Nurses Recovery

    You have to be very low-income to be eligible for Medicaid, and Medicare is for the elderly and disabled. I'm so sorry this happened to you. Absolutely, you should self-report, as it will look better...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Well, I didn't expect THAT answer...

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

    When I worked LTC, we had an unmarried couple who were allowed to go into her private room and do whatever came naturally. This caused some discomfort among the younger staff, although I reminded them...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    When admin-type RNs forget about the little people.

    VivaLasViejas replied to dudette10's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Yep, you're absolutely right about
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Confused with Aspergers

    VivaLasViejas replied to hazyblue's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Trust me, you don't want to be labeled with an "extra" mental health diagnosis if you can avoid it. You have obviously made a success of your life in spite of, or maybe because of your...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    When admin-type RNs forget about the little people.

    VivaLasViejas replied to dudette10's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I've been that "clipboard nurse", and yes, it's true that I might not have wanted to step on the primary nurse's toes or accidentally give the patient the wrong information. I also might have had a...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Nauseous vs Nauseated (another grammar lesson)

    VivaLasViejas replied to Emergent's topic in General Nursing

    I used to hate the term "perseverated".....until I encountered patients who did
  19. VivaLasViejas

    New Grad wound care vs. med surg

    VivaLasViejas replied to syrosaneli's topic in Nursing Career

    I echo the above sentiments. To be honest, you need a well-rounded experience of bedside nursing before going into a specialty where you are apt to be pigeon-holed. Med/surg nursing certainly isn't...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Well, I didn't expect THAT answer...

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

    This is a great thread! Keep the stories coming,
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Very worried I made a huge mistake..just need some advice

    VivaLasViejas replied to webrn1969's topic in Nurses Recovery

    I wonder what happened? The OP hasn't been back to let us know, and it would be nice to find out if things worked out in her
  22. VivaLasViejas

    2 job offers

    VivaLasViejas replied to Bbddll13's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Well, you know what they say---"use it or lose it". If you had the choice between med/surg and home health, I'd advise you to go for the M/S position because it would give you plenty of opportunities...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    The promises....they do happen...if we work....

    VivaLasViejas replied to LilRedRN1973's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Today is my 1 year sobriety birthday. I was sober for almost 22 years, and then had to start all over again after falling off the wagon by ODing on Ativan. Kudos to all of us who keep fighting our...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    legal mandation length (illinois)?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Oswin's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    She won't be able to ignore the State when they come in to investigate, or the Labor Board after you report this facility to the proper
  25. VivaLasViejas

    The culture of AN

    VivaLasViejas replied to Lev's topic in General Nursing

    I've been with AN for a lot of years, and I can tell you that the "culture" is cyclical in nature.....a lot like life in general. This is by far NOT the worst spell we've been through, although I can...