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

    LTC rework

    VivaLasViejas replied to sunshyne17's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Unfortunately, a lot of the excess paperwork that comes down the pike is a result of management overreaction to deficiencies found during surveys. I've seen it every place I've ever worked in LTC,...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    Nurses with Mental Illness: Share Your Self-Care Strategies

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

    A few weeks ago, my psychiatrist set a curfew of sorts for me by more or less demanding that I go to bed no later than 2300 and get up no later than 0730 EVERY day. Regardless of what was going on, or...
  3. VivaLasViejas

    The Elephant in the Room

    VivaLasViejas replied to Anna Flaxis's topic in Emergency

    This post is an example of what's right with nursing, and what's WRONG with health care. We all know it, and yet it seems we are powerless to change things. Sure wish the powers that be would listen...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    Sometimes still shocked

    VivaLasViejas replied to Twoyearnurse's topic in Nurses Recovery

    I am in awe of you! But why ever would you return to the stress of nursing if you're enjoying your current job so much, and are able to make it on your wages? I'm on my way out of clinical nursing...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Learning from my mistakes

    VivaLasViejas replied to dorselm's topic in General Nursing

    I'm thinking that the charge position may be a bit much for the OP to handle in addition to her regular duties. These are some pretty serious mistakes and they seem to have this common denominator....
  6. VivaLasViejas

    Hot Mess!! Epilepsy, Sciatica, and Depression is hospital a realistic area?

    VivaLasViejas replied to PatiencePlease's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    We cannot offer you any medical advice per our Terms of Service; however, I would suggest that you work closely with your provider(s) to get your conditions under control before you apply for any sort...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    Nurse with asthma, how do they cope?

    VivaLasViejas replied to hanabishi's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I have asthma and have been a nurse for almost 17 years. The only times I've had issues were when the hospital was using a particular chemical to clean the carpet that went straight to my airways and...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    December 2013 Caption Contest: Win $100!

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

    "So, Prancer, you'll need to fill out an 801 and get Santa to send in the rest of your Worker's Comp
  9. VivaLasViejas

    I think my nurses are on the verge of mutiny!

    VivaLasViejas replied to NurseGuyBri's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    As with everything else in LTC, when you can't get funding for more staff, you have to work smarter with the staff you have. At my facility, the nurse/patient ratios are fairly high, but we use med...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    I asked for Christmas off and they...

    VivaLasViejas replied to Brian's topic in Nurses Rock

    I'll work New Year's Eve and New Year's Day both without any complaint at all.....I don't drink, and we usually go to bed right after the ball drops, so there's never an issue with working that...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    Resenting the very thing that helps

    VivaLasViejas replied to Marshall1's topic in Health, Stress Management

    It makes all kinds of sense, to me anyway. I started hating psych meds with that first antidepressant I tried 20 years ago. It didn't seem right to me that I couldn't feel 'normal' without benefit of...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing

    VivaLasViejas replied to Meriwhen's topic in Psychiatric

    Thank you for this glimpse inside the world of psychiatric nursing and life on an inpatient unit. Your compassion and respect for your patients shines through in your writing, and I hope that there is...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Nurse with anxiety/depression

    VivaLasViejas replied to nursepenelope's topic in Home Health

    Hi, nursepenelope! So sorry to hear you're feeling down. While we cannot offer you any sort of medical advice, you have more companions here than you know who suffer from anxiety and depression, and...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    This made me think today..

    VivaLasViejas replied to Missingyou's topic in Medical Assistant, CNA/MA

    It's sad that we actually have to TELL people they should respect the elderly. That should be our default position. I don't care if they're demented and act like children---they are not children, and...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Just hired to hospital. Traffic violations in Nursing?

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

    They are getting ridiculous with these background checks. Nobody used to give two rips about traffic tickets. But list them if the paperwork says you have to......it shouldn't affect your eligibility...
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Fired from my first nursing job, before one year

    VivaLasViejas replied to mightynurse1's topic in General Nursing

    I've been a nurse for over 16 years and I still don't know as much as the OP appears to. I know where my knowledge is lacking and I have no problem owning it. I think the OP would be well advised to...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    4 years in a CC??!

    VivaLasViejas replied to hereyee's topic in Pre-Nursing Students

    Took me four years to get my two-year degree as well. I'd been out of high school for 17 years when I started pre-reqs so nothing I'd taken back then would've done me any good anyway. The good thing...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    How do you feel about mandatory influenza vaccines?

    VivaLasViejas replied to ashleybrooke1208's topic in Disaster Preparation

    Generally, I'm not in favor of "mandating" ANYTHING that is invasive. That said, I strongly encourage healthcare workers and other friends and family to get their flu shots each year, and yes, I get...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Getting doctors to listen to me

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

    Docs really appreciate it when we do our homework before we call them and don't waste their time. As one told me way back when I was just getting started, "Don't bring me a problem until you have at...
  20. VivaLasViejas

    I Like It

    VivaLasViejas replied to OCNRN63's topic in General Nursing

    Ye gawds, Commuter, I remember when you graduated!!! Has it really been that long??!
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Safe sleep aid for alzhiemer/dementia residents

    VivaLasViejas replied to beatrice1's topic in Geriatric, LTC

    Except in cases when there are adverse behaviors---like when a resident goes into other rooms and starts hitting people, or is combative with staff---antipsychotics are overprescribed in the elderly,...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Desperate 2 become a NURSE

    VivaLasViejas replied to rainbowprincess's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Hello~ I am a nurse with bipolar disorder who also has anxiety issues and difficulties with concentration and over-stimulation (phones, orders, being pulled in different directions etc.). And, I'm...
  23. VivaLasViejas

    self- sabatoging behavior - is it just me?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Marshall1's topic in Health, Stress Management

    (((((Marshall1))))) First of all....BREATHE............. Boy, do I ever know what you mean by self-sabotage; I could write a book on it. But your being in this situation doesn't mean you are...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    What do you think about this? Giving narcan to addicts, their friends and family.

    VivaLasViejas replied to Mulan's topic in Patient Medications

    Well, I hope that comment wasn't aimed at me, because I think nothing of the kind......in fact, those thoughts never even occurred to me as I was writing my post. I didn't go into it that far...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Declaratory order Texas

    VivaLasViejas replied to MrDoug1's topic in Licensure: Criminal History

    Just out of curiosity---why have you been arrested so many times? And why do you want to be a