NJ RAMP- 1 DUI/DWI?

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Posting for a friend.

My best friend in nursing school got a DUI 4 years ago (before nursing) . His BAC was a 2.3. He provided NJBON with the DUI info along with a personal letter and proof of a an interlock device -1 year installment. He did some sort of therapy class with a counselor but never sent in the documentation to the NJBON. He passed his NCLEX and received an email a month later from the NJBON that basically said he was required to do an NJ RAMP evaluation. Were both new grads btw.

Is there anything he can do? Would it help if he sent in the extra documentation from the therapist/counselor? Would a lawyer help? Can the case be reopened?

I just feel like requiring NJ RAMP is a little excessive. I have heard stories about nurses who have had 2 DUI with nursing licenses and never had to attend NJ RAMP.

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OH BOY!!! I honestly doubt a lawyer would help. Being a nurse isn't a right but a privilege you need a license for. This means the BONs are allowed to make you do all kinds of things to get / keep your nursing license. It pains me to say this but he may be stuck in a ridiculous, expensive rehabilitation program with restrictions of his ability to practice for something that happened when he wasn't a nurse. Sound stupid??? It is!!!

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Appreciate you replying. Yeah I feel terrible. All of our professors/staff never mentioned that it would be like this. All they ever said was that he would just have to wait a little longer.

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Specializes in Bottom wiping.

And know that when you agree to these programs there is literally no escape. If you complete your 5 yrs and decide to move to another state, that state will make you do their program all over from scratch. I am quitting for this very reason, cant do anything I wanted to with my "voluntary" program, no travel nursing, no at home nursing, no private practice. Talk to a good attorney first before you sign anything from the Board.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
His BAC was a 2.3.

You did mean 0.23 %, right?

I don't think the other is compatible with life.

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I'm in California but your friends story sounds like exactly like mine. I got a DUI (.20 BAC) before I was a RN and I was still placed on probation as a new grad.

Not sure how it works in NJ but if you can get a "rule-out clause" that excludes you from the random testing then go for that at least.

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Why is NJ Ramp interested in DWI which one gets on their off time from work? In this state its not a criminal offense. It's a traffic offense unlike other states. Per Ramp it involves "public safety." If this is the case why do one still has their driver's license? Won't it make more sense for DMV to revoke driver's license then BON to revoke or mandate monitoring for an act one did on their leisure time?

I totally understand and know that in all cases DMV will suspend driver's license for X amount of time, followed by expensive surcharges and interlock device monitoring. The mandating agency should be DMV ( once again I am just talking about NJ) for your DWI (alcohol) cases and not BON or Ramp. Can someone please explain me any rationale behind this?

I am in Ramp at present time. All this does not make sense to me. More nurses are quitting this profession. And, programs like Ramp is not helping. I am all about supporting nurses/family/friends if there is an addiction problem. But, one time offense should not be punished this harshly. Especially, when the state itself does not view this as a criminal offense.

If my co-worker or my employer had reported of any suspicious behavior at work then I 100% understand and can support BON and Ramp. But, for BON and Ramp to take such severe actions for first time offense during my off time is absolutely ridiculous and unnecessary.

I do have a great attorney. But, from what I have been told it's not possible to fight either Ramp or BON. Time to look for another profession where we are not judged under a microscope for every tiny errors!!!!!

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Specializes in Bottom wiping.

Sorry to hear. I quit nursing for this very reason. Couldn’t afford to stay in the monitoring program. They lost a great nurse!

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9 hours ago, IrishCMSRN said:

Sorry to hear. I quit nursing for this very reason. Couldn’t afford to stay in the monitoring program. They lost a great nurse!

Same here. I was an excellent nurse dedicated to my profession for 20 years. I could afford the expenses. But, I refuse to be treated so unjustly and unfairly from an institution which is not even run by nurses. There is zero empathy and its all about money and business for them. Yes, they did take away my livelihood but at least I have my self-respect and pride.

I'm smart and extremely resilient. I can make $100,000 a year without my nursing degree. I rather keep my pride and enjoy my life and not wake up to their stupid check- ins every am. It was good as long as it lasted. Good luck to you my friend:)

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Specializes in LTAC.

SicilyisBest and Irish:

what are you both doing now?

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I'm currently going through the same thing. I had something on my background was a class b felony but it was dismissed and sealed. I have no convictions what's so ever on my background. I provided them with all the paperwork and they are dragging their feet to give me my license. I have my LPN from NY AND FL and didn't have no issues as long as I provided documentation. NJ is a very difficult state. I had to get a lawyer involved and the state senate. I could understand if you had convictions but dismissals is wild to go crazy over. 

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Was the senate helpful at all?

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