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

    AA meeting and addicts

    VivaLasViejas replied to RNMSN51's topic in Nurses Recovery

    This is EXACTLY what happened when I took a half-dozen 1 mg. Ativan tablets a couple of weekends ago. I was going for the numbing effect.....I was extremely upset and didn't want to feel. I am dual...
  2. VivaLasViejas

    only 30, in so much pain....dentures?

    VivaLasViejas replied to thenursemandy's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Wishing you all the luck in the world! I hope the process goes easily for you, and that you find it relieves your pain and distress completely. Keep us posted.
  3. VivaLasViejas

    Another burnt out nurse - questioning everything. . .

    VivaLasViejas replied to AlphaPig's topic in Medical-Surgical

    ALF nursing is not the picnic it's made out to be. Not when you're responsible for 85 residents or more, at least 30 of whom are nursing-home ready and 15 more should be in memory care. Not when...
  4. VivaLasViejas

    I blew it......

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Thank you for writing, and Welcome to Allnurses! I hope your stay in rehab is helpful.....I'd appreciate it if you could let us know how it works out for you when you can. I've never been inpatient...
  5. VivaLasViejas

    Overcoming work related anxiety

    VivaLasViejas replied to tjm731's topic in Health, Stress Management

    Have you talked to a counselor or mental health professional about this? Anxiety is a pretty common condition in healthcare workers, but it shouldn't be considered a "normal" part of the job. If your...
  6. VivaLasViejas

    I blew it......

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nurses Recovery

    Thank you, all, for your support. I actually hadn't even thought about going to a meeting.....haven't been to AA in over 20 years. It's bad enough I have to go in Monday and tell my p-doc what...
  7. VivaLasViejas

    only 30, in so much pain....dentures?

    VivaLasViejas replied to thenursemandy's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    As noted in the Terms of Service, we cannot advise you regarding medical (or dental) issues; the best thing we can tell you is to consult with your dental care provider and allow him or her to explain...
  8. VivaLasViejas

    Getting a job after being fired

    VivaLasViejas replied to lpn954's topic in LPN, LVN Corner

    I've learned it's extremely difficult to get a job, especially after having been fired, by applying online through a facility's HR department, as most applications are done nowadays. They screen...
  9. VivaLasViejas

    What is your opinion on getting the flu shot?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Surg-OncRN's topic in Holistic

    I get a flu shot every year. Not just to protect myself (I'm over 50 and at high risk d/t diabetes and asthma) but to protect my patients/residents and the rest of my family. As far as whether it's...
  10. VivaLasViejas

    Long sleeves in a hot house

    VivaLasViejas replied to Alnitak7's topic in General Nursing

    I learned that long ago when I first started working in LTC. They keep those places hot, even in the summer, because the elderly folks who live there are almost always cold. Now I understand how they...
  11. VivaLasViejas

    I blew it......

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nurses Recovery

    I gave my husband the pills last night. Now that I've had that 'taste' of intoxication again, I find myself wanting more and THAT is dangerous. Not sure what's going on with me---my stress burden is...
  12. VivaLasViejas

    I blew it......

    VivaLasViejas replied to VivaLasViejas's topic in Nurses Recovery

    No. I stopped drinking years before I ever even heard of a Board of Nursing, thank God. This is a one-off thing. I don't EVER want to do anything like it again, but now I know I can't promise...
  13. VivaLasViejas

    Dual diagnosis...anyone?

    VivaLasViejas replied to skinnedknee's topic in Nurses Recovery

    I'm dual-diagnosed with alcoholism and bipolar 1. The alcohol hasn't been an issue for over two decades, but I did have an incident very recently where I violated abstinence by over-medicating with...
  14. VivaLasViejas

    I didn't burnout, I went up in a great big ball of flames...

    VivaLasViejas replied to Gamecock73's topic in General Nursing

    Aw, sweetie, you are singing my song, as well as that of many, many nurses. But unlike most of us, you got out of the bad situation BEFORE you suffered a complete breakdown, and that gives you a huge...
  15. VivaLasViejas

    Obamacare vs. The Affordable Care Act

    VivaLasViejas replied to Elizabeth Renee's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    There is a LOT of stupid on the hoof out there. It votes, and it reproduces. Scary thought,
  16. VivaLasViejas

    Advice for dealing with addicts?

    VivaLasViejas replied to garnetgirl29's topic in Addictions

    I've been reading the various responses here and am appalled at some of the harsh words directed at the OP, who I feel needs to learn more about addictions overall, but whose heart is in the right...
  17. VivaLasViejas

    Does your workplace have a Suggestion Box?

    VivaLasViejas replied to Joe V's topic in Nurses Rock

    One time our administrator opened ours to find a dried-out piece of chicken that one of the SNF patients had put in it, evidently to express his/her displeasure at the quality (or lack thereof) of the...
  18. VivaLasViejas

    Long term effects of working night shifts

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

    I thrive on a swing shift schedule. I'm a night-owl, but not an ALL-night owl, if you know what I mean. I worked straight nights for years and loved it, but after about age 40, they stopped loving me...
  19. VivaLasViejas

    Writing multiple times?

    VivaLasViejas replied to loriangel14's topic in General Nursing

    Seems like we're getting a bit off-track here. I personally was rather enjoying the original
  20. VivaLasViejas

    Am I being selfish?

    VivaLasViejas replied to magn1jes's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I agree with all the above. It is not your responsibility to ensure adequate staffing for your clinic, nor is it your duty to work more than you've agreed to, unless of course you choose to. You have...
  21. VivaLasViejas

    Want to start working again after being away for 3 years due to depression.

    VivaLasViejas replied to Tiffany.'s topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Yes, that's pretty vaguely worded so I think you're good to go. I still think the refresher would be a good idea, because you would not believe how much stuff can be forgotten in 2-3 years away from...
  22. VivaLasViejas

    Need feedback: Medicalization..raising awareness and potential study?

    VivaLasViejas replied to medisec's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I'm in Oregon. Ours is called the Healthcare Professionals Monitoring Program (HPMP). You can Google it or follow the link from the state BON
  23. VivaLasViejas

    Want to start working again after being away for 3 years due to depression.

    VivaLasViejas replied to Tiffany.'s topic in Nurse Disabilities

    Hi Tiffany, and welcome to Allnurses! It sounds like you've stabilized and resolved your depression issues, and are ready to roll. Good for you! I know it's tough being a nurse with MI (I'm Bipolar 1...
  24. VivaLasViejas

    I have a question for Texas nurses with a disclosed disability

    VivaLasViejas replied to spurs21550's topic in Nurse Disabilities

    I was just researching the TPAPN website the other night for a friend of mine with bipolar, who's moving to Texas soon. I've been on something of a soapbox lately about these monitoring programs,...
  25. VivaLasViejas

    Writing multiple times?

    VivaLasViejas replied to loriangel14's topic in General Nursing

    I have to admit, I didn't study for the NCLEX, unless you consider glancing over some test questions once or twice 'studying'. Honestly, I didn't feel the need to because I'd already done the hardest...