Ramp nurse recovery program nj

Nursejess1214 · Sep 16

to be honest if you have not signed anything with RAMP yet don't do it. get council from a lawyer first. if you can avoid a monitoring program you should avoid it at all cost. Believe me getting lawyer involved now will be cheaper in how much you end up paying these guys. Unless you truly feel you need the help or are struggling with a SUD avoid avoid avoid. Do not sign anything and do not agree to an evaluation until you speak to a lawyer and they advise you to do that.

PaddedCellLPN, LPN · Sep 16

From my experience, insurance/Medicaid doesn't pay for tests. I've paid all of mine out of pocket.

I didn't do IOP or inpt tx, so I cannot speak on that.

I do pay $65/month towards my program, and $80/month for my weekly group. My hair test was $150, and that's every 3 months with an extra $40 fee for collecting it. My urine runs $45-65 twice a month with a $30 collection fee. My one time PETH was $80 and a $40 collection fee. My addictionologist was $750 for my first appointment, and my follow ups every 3 months is $140. My probation is up aftet 3 years of proven sobriety, along with my case manager's blessing, in December 2026.

Now, you can consult a lawyer, but if you get your license or not is up to the BON. They can probably request certain terms, but if the BON has established regulations, you're going to end up doing the program.

I know the whole money is tight feeling... I've cleaned houses to make the money to pay my fees. It's hard, but I wouldn't give up nursing.

Now, if you lawyer up, you're looking at a retainer, fees, etc. So make sure you ask a ton of questions before you agree to have a lawyer represent you.

Nursejess1214 · Sep 16

I wish I had talked to lawyer before signing up with PHNP which is the PA program. Likely would have only had to pay my lawyer to represent me versus signing my life away for 5 years to the program. At that time I didn't know I had a choice because the letter and forms you get make it sound like you don't but you do. All I am saying is just a consult with a lawyer experienced that is experienced in working with the Board will not hurt otherwise be prepared to do all of the above that is mentioned in the previous post

KathyMomRN, RN · Sep 21

Prior alcohol charges, even if dropped, can force you into RAMP but you need to be very careful what you say to RAMP and the BON. If the BON refers you to RAMP you have no choice but to call them. With 2 prior charges (even with one dropped) they will more than likely want 2 years of monitoring to ensure you are safe to practice. No matter what, do not drink or take any drug because they will test you to be sure your story matches your hair test results. If your hair is positive for drugs, even just weed, guarantee they will mandate 5 years in RAMP.

Anthony Chipoletti · Sep 27

Nursejess1214 said:

to be honest if you have not signed anything with RAMP yet don't do it. get council from a lawyer first. if you can avoid a monitoring program you should avoid it at all cost. Believe me getting lawyer involved now will be cheaper in how much you end up paying these guys. Unless you truly feel you need the help or are struggling with a SUD avoid avoid avoid. Do not sign anything and do not agree to an evaluation until you speak to a lawyer and they advise you to do that.

@Nursejess1214 is there any way I can talk to you in private on messenger they said I would have to complete the program for them to give me my license ?

but it says it's a voluntary program? So I'm kinda confused now have you went through this program or can I talk to privately please your the only person who has gotten back to me about anything

if you can email me maybe or I'm not sure if there is private messages on this website I'm new here to this comment community

I just read a hair sample is about 300-400 for a drug test which is crazy ? I can't just take urine test for $50-60$ is what I read I can afford this

but I can't afford the nail and hair and blood tests and and I hear the evaluation alone is $500... with out sending out any drug test so yeah if anyone or you can please help me asap that would be great I really want my license as soon as possible

Healer555 · Sep 27

Anthony Chipoletti said:

@Nursejess1214 is there any way I can talk to you in private on messenger they said I would have to complete the program for them to give me my license ?

but it says it's a voluntary program? So I'm kinda confused now have you went through this program or can I talk to privately please your the only person who has gotten back to me about anything

if you can email me maybe or I'm not sure if there is private messages on this website I'm new here to this comment community

I just read a hair sample is about 300-400 for a drug test which is crazy ? I can't just take urine test for $50-60$ is what I read I can afford this

but I can't afford the nail and hair and blood tests and and I hear the evaluation alone is $500... with out sending out any drug test so yeah if anyone or you can please help me asap that would be great I really want my license as soon as possible

It says voluntary but they can report you to the state and you will likely lose your nursing license if you aren't compliant. Hair tests go back longer. They don't care what you can afford.

Imo, your best course of action is to find a way to pay for all and any tests they require.

dancinginthedark · Sep 28

Nope, everyone has to undergo RAMP if you have an arrest. There is a chance you will be allowed to get your license after the 90 day period of evaluation. They will make you see a counselor, who may or may not recommend monitoring. Even if they do not recommend monitoring, the board may still require you to have a contract.

Every drug test is out of pocket. You cannot have it covered by insurance because RAMP is not treatment. They do allow you to get treatment from a provider in your insurance network. However, the evaluation is set up by RAMP with one of their approved counselors. I've never heard of anyone paying less than $600, and the average is around $800.

Mel1210 · Sep 30

I was in RAMP, and it is a total rip-off. I went broke while on that program. You will be unemployed as a nurse for months, if not years. Many people get jobs in other fields while in this program because it is costly. RAMP is not flexible at all! I would call the BON before you sign a RAMP agreement and ask if you can be monitored by the Professional Assistance Program of New Jersey (PAP) instead. PAP is way more flexible regarding where you can test, and they don't have all the restrictions that RAMP will impose on your license. When I was in RAMP, I had to go to the testing site they sent me to. You will have to download this app for this 3rd party monitoring company; you have to check in every day. It will randomly tell you, "You are selected to test today," and you must go to the site they send you. They would not allow me to test elsewhere. PAP lets you choose where you can test if your insurance covers.

Ask the board if you can do PAP instead.

Best wishes!!

Mel1210 · Sep 30

PaddedCellLPN said:

From my experience, insurance/Medicaid doesn't pay for tests. I've paid all of mine out of pocket.

I didn't do IOP or inpt tx, so I cannot speak on that.

I do pay $65/month towards my program, and $80/month for my weekly group. My hair test was $150, and that's every 3 months with an extra $40 fee for collecting it. My urine runs $45-65 twice a month with a $30 collection fee. My one time PETH was $80 and a $40 collection fee. My addictionologist was $750 for my first appointment, and my follow ups every 3 months is $140. My probation is up aftet 3 years of proven sobriety, along with my case manager's blessing, in December 2026.

Now, you can consult a lawyer, but if you get your license or not is up to the BON. They can probably request certain terms, but if the BON has established regulations, you're going to end up doing the program.

I know the whole money is tight feeling... I've cleaned houses to make the money to pay my fees. It's hard, but I wouldn't give up nursing.

Now, if you lawyer up, you're looking at a retainer, fees, etc. So make sure you ask a ton of questions before you agree to have a lawyer represent you.

I had a lawyer, and she did not help at all. I was still sent to RAMP, I guess it was just a little be faster since I had a lawyer and my paper was sorta pushed to the front.

KathyMomRN, RN · Oct 1

I don't know how to direct message and we cannot give our private emails:phone numbers. RAMP is contracted the NJ BOzn and the BON is obligated to ensure nurses are safe to practice. Sorry but with 2 charges (even if one was dropped) if you want to work as a nurse you have no choice but to contact them and be 100% honest, especially when they ask about alcohol/drug use. They have ways of testing that go back at least 6 months. It's a 5 year program but some people are given a 2 year contract depending on their circumstances. Yes it's an expensive program but many people have successfully completed the program. There are also many RAMP friendly hospitals that will hire you despite the restrictions, Most of the weekly nurse support groups are great, depending on who runs them

ashley1879 · Oct 8

PaddedCellLPN said:

From my experience, insurance/Medicaid doesn't pay for tests. I've paid all of mine out of pocket.

I didn't do IOP or inpt tx, so I cannot speak on that.

I do pay $65/month towards my program, and $80/month for my weekly group. My hair test was $150, and that's every 3 months with an extra $40 fee for collecting it. My urine runs $45-65 twice a month with a $30 collection fee. My one time PETH was $80 and a $40 collection fee. My addictionologist was $750 for my first appointment, and my follow ups every 3 months is $140. My probation is up aftet 3 years of proven sobriety, along with my case manager's blessing, in December 2026.

Now, you can consult a lawyer, but if you get your license or not is up to the BON. They can probably request certain terms, but if the BON has established regulations, you're going to end up doing the program.

I know the whole money is tight feeling... I've cleaned houses to make the money to pay my fees. It's hard, but I wouldn't give up nursing.

Now, if you lawyer up, you're looking at a retainer, fees, etc. So make sure you ask a ton of questions before you agree to have a lawyer represent you.

Is there anyway you can email me and I can talk to you in private by chance ?
[email protected]