NJ DUI

Tigerlily8 · Oct 8, 2015

Hi Mike,

Your situation is somewhat familiar to me but I live in another state. Go to the New Jersey BON web site and it should tell you what criminal charges must be reported and when. Pay particular attention to the wording because in some states all arrests must be reported even if the charges are reduced, dropped or expunged. You will probably hire an attorney to handle the DUI charge but you need to also find a couple of administrative law attorneys. Call them, they will usually offer a free initial consultation. Since this is your first charge you may not actually need to retain an administrative lawyer, it depends on how New Jersey treats RNs with one slip-up.Just call them and see what they recommend. The attorney I used had an RN and a law degree and most of her practice was defending RNs appearing before the BON. Good luck to you and feel free to contact me.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Oct 8, 2015

You can find an administrative law attorney experience in matters before the board of nursing at The American Association of Nurse Attorneys TAANA Executive Office - Home

MikeRN14 · Oct 8, 2015

In NJ a DUI is not a criminal offense rather a traffic offense. The NJ BON website is very difficult to navigate, I wish it was spelt out somewhere but I've searched for a week and can't find it.

MikeRN14 · Oct 8, 2015

Thank you for that link I will look into consultations tomorrow. It been told that I might have to join the NJ RAMPS program which I am fine with as long as I'm not taken off of my floor because that financial hardship would be detrimental.

dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2015

What about calling the BON (anonymously) and just asking?

odaat · Oct 8, 2015

Do you think the floor you're currently on would be willing to work with any restrictions RAMP imposes on you, such as no nights, no more than 40hrs/wk, no doubles, no narcotics, and no critical care? Because these are likely restrictions you'll face as again these programs are very much one size fits all. If so then you will hopefully be able to avoid a disruption in work.

However most programs do require participants to abstain from work until they can be assessed, complete required treatment and then be approved as safe to return to work. This process can take up to several months or longer and they do not give a rats behind about the financial hardship you will face. In fact you will be paying for their requirements (treatment and frequent drug testing) while you're unemployed and again they do not give a rats behind if you're forced to choose between food or paying for this stuff.

I'm not trying to scare you, I'm just trying to give you a realistic picture of what these programs entail. They call all the shots for the length of your program. Hopefully they will not require you to abstain from work but I can honestly say I've never heard of that happening for anyone but doctors. Of course I don't know everyone and so it could be possible

and I hope for you it is! Perhaps others will chime in with a different experience. Also I live in a different state and although from what I've seen most of these programs are very similar other than length of time, there could be other important differences. Again, I just want you to really mentally prepare yourself for what participation in this could mean. It's a hard road but in the end keeping my license makes it worth it to me.

lil0401 · Oct 8, 2015

I am no expert and don't post here often but read a lot on here and wanted to share my two cents incase it helps give you hope at all...

I was convicted of 2 DUIs last year... before that had never been arrested or had anything on my record. In my state it is a criminal offense not just a traffic violation. There is also no alternative to discipline program in my state like I have read on here that many other states have. When I self-reported the first one I got a letter back a month later saying no action would be taken, kept my job, absolutely no stipulations. After I reported the second one I met with an investigator and obtained a lawyer experienced in dealing with health-care related issues. After I was charged with the second DUI I voluntarily went to treatment before I was 'recommended' to do anything. I was not working at that time because of a whole separate issue that was required to be reported to the board but was not further pursued. I have recently heard back from the board and my license will be on probation for 5 years with me having to drug test at my own expense, not able to work for a staffing agency or in home-health, and my employer having to fill out quarterly reports about work performance, attendance, habits, etc. There are other stipulations but those are three big ones. No narcotic restriction, no 40hr/wk maximum limit, no restriction about what shift I can work, no having to take time off to be evaluated, pretty much nothing that would have been a deal breaker for me to be able to keep my job at a large hospital system in my city unless they had not been willing to fill out the quarterly reports, but they are. I consider myself pretty lucky compared to what some other people have been put through for less serious things than I have done. The worst part to me is that it will stay on my license forever since there is no alternative to discipline program here.

I don't live in NJ and have no idea what their program is like so it may be completely different for you but I hope it might help you a little. I personally do think that every individual case is a little different ,but that's just my opinion. Like I stated , after 1 DUI that I self-reported I received a letter saying no action would be taken. All I was required to do was report it within 30 days of the conviction. If I hadn't self-reported and they had found out I had the first when I got the second... it would have been a different story. I agree with the other posters about consulting with a lawyer, even though it was expensive and mine personally didn't change my outcome much, it was worth the money to ease my mind that I was doing everything possible to be prepared to fight for my license.Good luck to you!

subee, MSN, CRNA · Oct 8, 2015

I am currently facing a DUI in the state of NJ and I am practicing as a registered Nurse. Does anyone have any experience with this matter and the BON or the RAMPS program? Do I need to self report? Am I facing time off of work? I really can't afford to be out of work for any amount of time.
This is my first type of discipline action in my professional or public life and any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

The DUI will probably be reported to the BON. I would start alcohol testing how and having the reports sent to your PCP. So if and when the Board does catch up with you, you will have a documented sobriety period and have been working sober. I'd also starting attending AA and having your attendance documented. That way you can prove that you have addressed the problem, received some treatment and it becomes very remote that your license will be revoked. They will, however, insist on a proscribed time (2 to 3 years) of EtOH and drug screens before getting out of your life.

SororAKS, ADN, RN · Oct 13, 2015

Is it in the NJ Nurse Practice Act?

Ozymandia · Oct 20, 2015

First question. Did you take the breathalyzer test? Or did they draw your blood? I have a DUI Also PM me or email [email protected]

subee, MSN, CRNA · Oct 20, 2015

I wouldn't be using your real name on this website - especially considering this topic.