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

    Heat and LTC facilities

    VivaLasViejas replied to motherof3sons's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    There is a regulation that states these places must be at least 300 degrees year-round. Just kidding, but there really are regulations governing the building temperature, e.g. thermostat must be set...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Spring 2014 Article Contest - You Pick 4 Winners

    VivaLasViejas replied to tnbutterfly - Mary's topic in News, Announcements

    Done.
  3. VivaLasViejas

    concerns about seeking mental health treatment

    VivaLasViejas replied to brittanypaige93's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Hello, and Welcome to Allnurses.com. I am a nurse with over 17 years experience and a case of bipolar 1. I had severe postpartum depression which got worse with each of my five babies and experienced...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    What eveyone should know before working in an assisted living facility.

    VivaLasViejas replied to sandygirl123's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Not even close. In the ALFs I've worked in, we've had everything from wanderers with severe dementia to total care patients to brittle diabetics who need blood sugars checked six times a day. ALL of...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Unsure of wanting kids

    VivaLasViejas replied to j0yegan's topic in Health, Stress Management

    I still feel that way, and I'm on my sixth grandchild! LOL Seriously, you have to listen to your heart on this one. Most of us who are parents aren't truly "ready" to have kids until the moment that...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Employer resonsibility?

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

    It's not quite that simple. I had a similar problem with a resident years ago when I was a care manager, only this fellow was cognitively intact---he was just meaner than a snake! He'd go around in...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Bipolar Nurse Hoping to Open Awareness of Mental Illness

    VivaLasViejas replied to HannaRNBSN's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Your illness is part of your life, but it doesn't define you. Neither do the mistakes you made. The forum I suggested is full of posts made by people who have done things they regret; I don't feel...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Bipolar Nurse Hoping to Open Awareness of Mental Illness

    VivaLasViejas replied to HannaRNBSN's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    (((((captain serenity))))) So sorry to hear of your misfortune. It does sound like you've got your stuff back together, but are left with this albatross around your neck. I would suggest you post this...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    Role call!

    VivaLasViejas replied to Twoyearnurse's topic in Nurses Recovery

    I was sober for almost 22 years before I relapsed last fall. I didn't drink, but intentionally OD'd on Ativan. It wasn't a suicide attempt, just a handful of benzos to make me numb for a little while....
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Important Question

    VivaLasViejas replied to Katesmith5402's topic in Nurses Recovery

    It's hard to say. A lot depends on how committed your friend is to her recovery; five months is a great start, five years is better. However, the most honorable thing to do would be to report herself...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Radio Show

    VivaLasViejas replied to Debi Fischer's topic in Psychiatric

    If being a psych nurse of ANY kind doesn't make you an expert on human nature, nothing does. Go for
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Pointclickcare

    VivaLasViejas replied to sonya porter's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I've used it and found it to be pretty user-friendly. You just have to be willing to get in there and play with it. Believe me, I've seen some EMR software that was a nightmare to use.....I'll take...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Post fall root cause analysis report...

    VivaLasViejas replied to NurseQT's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Is there a pattern to the falls, e.g. does he tend to fall at a particular time of day? Is he on psychotropics or narcotics? Why does he get up in the first place (early riser, needs to use the...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    Personal issues while a student?

    VivaLasViejas replied to atmosphericmelody's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    WOW do you have a lot on your plate. I honestly don't know how you're dealing with all of this without getting really sick, but if you don't start taking better care of yourself, you will. As a...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    So worried about jobs

    VivaLasViejas replied to now_what's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Hello~Just thought I'd reach out to you too. I'm bipolar 1 with rapid cycling (diagnosed only a couple of years ago) and have a spotty job history, although I've managed to hang on to some jobs for as...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    I Hope No One Hires You

    VivaLasViejas replied to CapeCodMermaid's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    I'd come work for you in a heartbeat, CCM. It's just that 3,000 mile commute might be a little tough to make every
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Full disclosure??

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nicki_run's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I think a lot depends on the condition you have. If it's physical, it could affect the way you do your work, and that probably should be disclosed but only IF you're asked for that information...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Full disclosure??

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nicki_run's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    You're welcome. It's just that I've been burned badly, twice, by disclosing an illness which unfortunately got out of control so I could no longer hide it. Now I take my medications exactly as...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Full disclosure??

    VivaLasViejas replied to Nicki_run's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Do NOT disclose any information that you're not directly asked for. Your health record is private and does not need to be discussed with your employer unless you need accommodations to do your job....
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Major depression and anxiety disorder

    VivaLasViejas replied to ssangel's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    My psychiatrist does TMS too. He's involved with the mood-disorders clinic in my area and is an integrative practitioner who also does acupuncture and specializes in psychosomatic medicine. The...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    When to say "When"?

    VivaLasViejas replied to silverbat's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Reception bell at a psych nurses station

    VivaLasViejas replied to RNcashy89's topic in Psychiatric

    Oh, Lord, that reminds me of the time last winter when I was at the Les Schwab tire store, waiting for them to put new front tires on my car. I was quite manic at the time and was having great...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Major depression and anxiety disorder

    VivaLasViejas replied to ssangel's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    The above poster is right. It sounds like you need to get your illness under much better control before you start thinking about jobs. As I'm sure you're aware, ECT can cause problems with short-term...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    Help

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

    You are correct in that we cannot offer medical advice, nor can we diagnose any condition. Please see your healthcare provider with your concerns. And good luck.
  25. VivaLasViejas

    I finally took the sick role.

    VivaLasViejas replied to hazyblue's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Don't do it. You owe those idiots NOTHING. If they run afoul of the labor laws, too darned