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

    More Examples of posting on Facebook and getting fired

    VivaLasViejas replied to RNIBCLC's topic in General Nursing

    While one does not give up his or her First Amendment rights to become a hospital employee, there may be consequences that come along with the exercise of that freedom. Memorial-Hermann did the right...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Care, compassion,comfort

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

    I think hugs are fine under certain circumstances. Especially when you work in a nursing facility where the residents are almost like family, many of them need human touch and physical affection to...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Is This Bullying?

    VivaLasViejas replied to roser13's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    EAGLES!!! Yesssss!!! Solid gold, to make us feel old! :) Seriously though, I love the Eagles and wish I could go with you and
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Babies in hospital rooms. ..ugh!! *twitch*

    VivaLasViejas replied to delphine22's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I've walked into hospital rooms where a baby was crawling around on the floor, picking up God-knows-what and putting it in his/her mouth. I never even wore my work shoes in the house---always left...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    What is bullying then?

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

    Thank you to the above poster for getting this thread back on track. I don't think stirring up divisions is the way to approach the topic the OP brought up, and was glad to see someone right the ship,...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    20 Things Nurses Wish They Never Had to Say

    VivaLasViejas posted a topic in General Nursing

    Here, for your enjoyment, are twenty more things nurses wish they never had to say: 1) To the CNA: "Uh-oh........it looks like Mrs. Chambers hasn't had a BM in nine days." 2) To the patient with...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Real Bullying

    VivaLasViejas replied to dream'n's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I don't see bullying either, but I do see a horrid, toxic, evil workplace. I'm glad you got out of there when you did, and took a sabbatical to get the experience out of your system. Sorry you had to...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

    VivaLasViejas replied to OCNRN63's topic in General Nursing

    I've been with AN for 12 years next month, and lurked for a couple more before I signed on as a member. Believe me, this isn't the first round of unpleasantness we've had here, nor will it be the...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Pay rate of a Rn State Surveyor. Any surveyor

    VivaLasViejas replied to refreshmentnarco's topic in General Nursing

    I made less than $5K/month, which was considerably less than I'd made as a DNS. The benefits were great, though. I didn't stay because it wasn't a good fit for me; there was much more travel involved...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Where O' Where are the wise ones?

    VivaLasViejas replied to RNIBCLC's topic in General Nursing

    I was going to say something along that line, but tnbutterfly has covered it and then some. So glad I've missed most of these upsetting threads and posts. But then I stick pretty close to my...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Can an employer ask this question?

    VivaLasViejas replied to luvhospics's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    This is good that you're taking your meds. But sometimes one needs a little more, or a different drug, or a short stint on an anti-psychotic. If you've only talked to your doctor by phone, you may...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Falls at shift change...

    VivaLasViejas replied to NurseQT's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Isn't that always the way---things are peaceful all night, but as soon as 0500 rolls around, everybody starts getting up and falling. Unfortunately, LTC is one of those situations in which it's "If...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Addiction Help/Support for Nurses

    VivaLasViejas replied to RNfromMN55's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Hello, and Welcome to Allnurses! It sounds like you went through hell, and came out a better person on the other side. Congratulations! Here at Allnurses, members support and learn from one another,...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Calling it quits after 17 years....

    VivaLasViejas replied to NCRN97's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Wishing you the best of luck, Anne! I'm filing for disability soon myself, and anticipate being denied the first time since mine is mental health-related, even though my attorney says I more than...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Robin Williams RIP: Coping Mechanism?

    VivaLasViejas replied to aspiration's topic in Psychiatric

    Joining an advocacy group is good. I wish there were one in my area, but the only nearby NAMI chapter folded about a year or so ago. I've thought about starting a group at my church, but with my...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Help....I Can't Take it Anymore! - Nurses Coping with Stress

    VivaLasViejas replied to tnbutterfly - Mary's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Is there any chance you could use your vacation time or do FMLA until you can get back on a more even keel. Nursing is stressful even under the best of circumstances, but nursing with...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Robin Williams RIP: Coping Mechanism?

    VivaLasViejas replied to aspiration's topic in Psychiatric

    ALS is a tragic, horrible illness which is ultimately fatal. I hope all the money that's been raised via the ice-bucket challenge will go directly to research, and hopefully a cure. I also hope that...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Robin Williams RIP: Coping Mechanism?

    VivaLasViejas replied to aspiration's topic in Psychiatric

    I've seen that cartoon before, and it's spot on. Somehow I can't see society saying to my husband "Geez, will you stop griping about your pancreatic cancer? Get OVER yourself!!" Yet that same society...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    The Nurse I Used to be.

    VivaLasViejas replied to considermebranded's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Actually, my reply was directed to
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Can an employer ask this question?

    VivaLasViejas replied to luvhospics's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I know from my own experience that when I'm unwell, I tend to lack insight into what's happening around me and I am shocked when I get blowback. I wonder if this isn't what's happening here. You do...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    The Nurse I Used to be.

    VivaLasViejas replied to considermebranded's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    You can always get a second opinion, particularly if the doctor who diagnosed you is not a psychologist or psychiatrist. However, you don't have to have super-extreme mood swings to have the...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Can an employer ask this question?

    VivaLasViejas replied to luvhospics's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Does your employer know you are bipolar? That's the only reason I can think of why they would ask about medications & if you're taking them. It's really none of their business unless you are...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    The Nurse I Used to be.

    VivaLasViejas replied to considermebranded's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Oh, honey, do I ever feel your heartache and distress. I've been a nurse for 17 years and have had to "retire" because I broke under the strain. I too have anxiety pretty badly, it's part of my...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Psych brought up the "D" word today

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Thank you, everyone who's posted so far. I appreciate being reminded that SSDI isn't welfare or charity, because I do not want to be a burden on society. And there has been excellent advice given...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Robin Williams RIP: Coping Mechanism?

    VivaLasViejas replied to aspiration's topic in Psychiatric

    They could have been linked. Depression is prevalent among people with PD. I of course don't know what stage he was at; the news said he was diagnosed early in the course of the disease, and it may...