Leaving Nursing/RAMP consequences

Nurses Recovery

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Hi all. I started in RAMP several months ago after being reported by my work for diversion. I was terminated, reported to the BON and local police, thankfully no charges were ever brought forward from a legal perspective. I completed an inpatient treatment program and IOP, and am in the beginning stages of RAMP now. 

I know a lot of people say give it time, but I am strongly considering leaving nursing behind due to the stress involved/anticipated with 5 years of this program. My question is, doing so will likely involve me being reported to the BON, and a mark against my license. Say I began looking at other careers that might involve licensure, such as going for my MSW, would my withdrawal from RAMP negatively affect me in pursuing these other avenues?

I'm really grateful to have avoided worse consequences, and part of me understands that this program is what I get for what I did. Another part of me simply wants to move on with my life after everything I have been through the last few years, and I sometimes do wonder if I deserve to go back to working as a nurse after what I did. Like I said, I just want to get myself cleaned up and move onto something else, I just want to know if getting involved with monitoring then leaving will haunt me though. 

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Specializes in Hospice, Case Management, Public Health.

Obviously, you are free to do what you wish and what is best for you, but I feel like you should give it a bit more time before deciding to leave nursing altogether. These programs are notorious for being stressful and anxiety provoking in the beginning. 

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If you are in the ramp program and no charges have been brought against you, you will not get marks on your license. If you leave ramp and pursue social work you will have to do ramp anyway due to the diversion. I stole drugs and was prosecuted to the fullest extent. License suspended, felony background. I practice in my full capacity as a nurse practitioner. You stay the course and you will be fine. Cheers. 

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
scholls11 said:

Hi all. I started in RAMP several months ago after being reported by my work for diversion. I was terminated, reported to the BON and local police, thankfully no charges were ever brought forward from a legal perspective. I completed an inpatient treatment program and IOP, and am in the beginning stages of RAMP now. 

I know a lot of people say give it time, but I am strongly considering leaving nursing behind due to the stress involved/anticipated with 5 years of this program. My question is, doing so will likely involve me being reported to the BON, and a mark against my license. Say I began looking at other careers that might involve licensure, such as going for my MSW, would my withdrawal from RAMP negatively affect me in pursuing these other avenues?

I'm really grateful to have avoided worse consequences, and part of me understands that this program is what I get for what I did. Another part of me simply wants to move on with my life after everything I have been through the last few years, and I sometimes do wonder if I deserve to go back to working as a nurse after what I did. Like I said, I just want to get myself cleaned up and move onto something else, I just want to know if getting involved with monitoring then leaving will haunt me though. 

Do not walk away with this mark on your license, especially if you want to ever consider another licensed career.  This is your nadir - things will go up from here but don't shoot yourself in the foot.  Someone I actually hired with an CD history did great for years and then fell apart after 9/11 and found obtunded at work.  She  went through RAMP which helped her find a non-anesthesia job which supported her financially.  She eventually was able to return to anesthesia.  The added stress of poverty would have been detrimental to her recovery.  

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I think we all go through that. I'm not in RAMP I'm in the KARE program for thc. But I think we all probably consider leaving the profession after all this. I think there's a lot of guilt like we don't deserve to be in the profession. I think we also go through Man I don't think I can be in a profession where I'm being watched constantly and now have even more of a target on our back. I also think we deal with alot of embarrassment and fear of peers finding out. I felt all those at least. But I tell you, you gotta focus on you and healing and doing what's best for you. Whether that's stay with the program or not. No it's not easy but if you want to keep your license even a little bit try to do it. Everyday that goes by it gets easier and becomes more of a part of life and you don't really even think about it. I did leave the profession while I went through the program but I'm at the end of mine and glad I stuck through. 
I think if you quit it'll ge hard to get licensure elsewhere or in another profession. I believe you can also surrender your license at any point during the program so maybe give it a few months. 

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
GREATRN said:

I think we all go through that. I'm not in RAMP I'm in the KARE program for thc. But I think we all probably consider leaving the profession after all this. I think there's a lot of guilt like we don't deserve to be in the profession. I think we also go through Man I don't think I can be in a profession where I'm being watched constantly and now have even more of a target on our back. I also think we deal with alot of embarrassment and fear of peers finding out. I felt all those at least. But I tell you, you gotta focus on you and healing and doing what's best for you. Whether that's stay with the program or not. No it's not easy but if you want to keep your license even a little bit try to do it. Everyday that goes by it gets easier and becomes more of a part of life and you don't really even think about it. I did leave the profession while I went through the program but I'm at the end of mine and glad I stuck through. 
I think if you quit it'll ge hard to get licensure elsewhere or in another profession. I believe you can also surrender your license at any point during the program so maybe give it a few months. 

I think you underestimate how many nurses give credit to nurses who work after treatment.  Experiencing shame really is the biggest emotional factor working against you and you are obviously still struggling with it.

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JM84 said:

If you are in the ramp program and no charges have been brought against you, you will not get marks on your license. If you leave ramp and pursue social work you will have to do ramp anyway due to the diversion. I stole drugs and was prosecuted to the fullest extent. License suspended, felony background. I practice in my full capacity as a nurse practitioner. You stay the course and you will be fine. Cheers. 

Are we able to private message on here?! I really need some advice if possible? I know you still have your license after drug diversion. I'm currently going through some felony charges as well and need some advice??

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Sure that's fine. Send me a message 

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JM84 said:

Sure that's fine. Send me a message 

It looks like I can't send messages. Can I email you please?? 

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