I posted this elsewhere, but it may be more easily found if I post it as a separate thread...so here goes!
I am reaching out to those nurses in the Recovery & Monitoring Program of NJ (and to those faced with similar circumstances). I have been in enrolled for about 6 months, and I have never been more appalled by the corruption that is this "recovery" program. I am looking to write to various influential state representatives in hope of receiving a response. I know this may not create change, but perhaps, it will create awareness. I'd love to hear any input (pros/cons).
I used to think their intention was to help turn my life around for the better, but after jumping through flaming hoop after flaming hoop--I have come to realize that it's almost strictly a money sink that operates behind the facade of ~helping nurses~. On an up-note my recreational drug use has ceased, but my depression/anxiety has become severe, and I have constant nightmares and panic attacks. I am hesitant to inform them of the issues at hand, in fear of having them inactivate my recently activated license. I am in fear of saying anything that could potentially worsen my situation, as I have seen them bear down on so many nurses who dare to question their ways. What aggravates me more--is that they abuse the 'voluntary' aspect of this program as a loophole to eradicate our individual rights.
...this question often comes to mind-- if addiction is viewed as a physical defect in the hedonic system of the brain (i.e. a disease), then why are we being punished for our disease? It seems like, as a society, we are still operating archaically in regards to a mental disorder such as this.
There are a few great articles (listed below) that refer to addiction, and how we are going about 'treating' it, in a manner which often proves to be ineffective. Dear RAMP, if you truly want to help us, there is no need to break us, for we are already full of shame and guilt. Perhaps, what we need is support and individually-based treatment. Stripping me of structure, a job, financial security and forcing me to forego my admission into school to acquire my DNP...none of it has helped me. Only fear is keeping me sober. I have never been more miserable and broken in my entire life.
Assuming I graduate from RAMP in 2020, I will have handed over a minimum of $17,000. I would have been graduating from my DNP program that year. Hopefully, by then I will have found a job...although, after many emotionally draining job rejections, I am afraid that may take more time than expected. ....I will keep fighting, because this is my life and I've only got one. You may be able to break me, but you will never destroy my character and determination.
What a lovely way of thanking the people that truly care, those with endless empathy that will literally break their back to help another.
Dear RAMP, perhaps, you need to take a closer look...and try a bit harder to find where the root of the problem lies....
I feel your pain!! I left RAMP in 2014 for those very reasons, and transferred to PAP. You are treated so fairly, like a human being. Yes, fees are involved, but your health insurance pays for your screens. Why?? Because a physician writes a prescription!! RAMP is utilizing treatment plans without physician imput!! Sound scary!! It is being addressed by PAP in the very best way, that is all I can say here!! RAMP had those of us who switched, our licenses arbitrarily suspended, " because". I am waiting to hear if mine is OK to re-instate. It was brought up at the 12/4 meeting. Fingers crossed!!
megbabyrn an RN for 39 years, in RAMP, cause I couldn't handle my 26 yr old's death of a drug OD.
what is the program pap is that in place of uramp ? Also.a revocatio inass does it .diaqualify you on obtaining other professional license if decision is made to leave nursing, permanently
hi ia. new to this site Iam not sure PAP is? also it to the magistrate 2 yrs to render a decision, and my atty died , was gonna appeal but atty said he's not gonna waste my money 1percent chance at appeal so Iam still in the in-between phase of just e timely careers . Can you work when I your the program is there waiting period? I am in the middle road spent a 3rd of life in this profession. Their decision was made in June of this yr I am at last. The atry I consulted with said he has been infant of the medical board dental board ect, by the worst is the nursing board.
hi iam . new to this site Iam not sure what PAP is? Also it to the magistrate 2 yrs to render a decision, and my atty died , was gonna appeal but atty said he's not gonna waste my money 1percent chance at appeal. Iam still in the in-between phase of thinking about just changing careers all together. Can you work when I your in this the program is there a waiting period certain jobs you can only work? I am in the middle of theroad spent a 3rd of life in this profession. Their decision was made in June of this yr and took them 2 yrs for a.decision. The atty I consulted with said he has been in front of the medical board dental board ect, by far the worst is the nursing board. sorry misspellings I tried to edit
I'm not with RAMP, but from what I've seen from HAVEN in the state of CT, corruption is rife within this assistance program business.
What I don't understand is that everyone knows this and no one cares. They just allow this abuse and curruption. People take their lives because of them. They should be charged with corruption, fraud, abuse, interfering with patient care and causing nursing shortage to be even worse, violation of human rights, and manslaughter etc... Why is this not being investigated by anyone? They also called Medicaid fraud department and put me on the fraud list. I had a dwi... I didn't defraud anyone. I can't get a job because fraud is a crime. Not just Healthcare jobs, any jobs. I have a special needs little girl, elderly parents and about to become homeless. I was first in my class and everyone's favorite nurse, patients and coworkers. I wrote emails to politicians, news stations and not even OK we will look into it.. I just don't get it! It's so unfair. It blows my mind.
Correct, they do allow the BON corruption. Now, not everyone else "doesn't care." Many people care, but do enough powerful people in congress, stste legislatures and attorneys care ENOUGH to do something about it? No, they don't care Enough. That's not to say they don't care a little bit.
P.S. life is unfortunately not always fair and that fact sucks. For what it's worth, there is corruption in nearly every major institution in the US. That's the scary part. The people at Medicaid who debarrsled you? Their department is corrupt.
Correct, they do allow the BON corruption. Now, not everyone else "doesn't care." Many people care, but do enough powerful people in congress, stste legislatures and attorneys care ENOUGH to do something about it? No, they don't care Enough. That's not to say they don't care a little bit.
P.S. life is unfortunately not always fair and that fact sucks. For what it's worth, there is corruption in nearly every major institution in the US. That's the ascary part. The people at Medicaid who debarrsled you? Their department is corrupt.
I'm sure you are right, but it wasn't medicaid that did it. They received notice from NJBON telling them to do it. BON also put me on the black list of healthcare providers.
This happened after I hired an atty and quit ramp. They are so spiteful. Isn't reporting me to Medicaid for fraud IS fraud.
No one cared enough to even respond to my 100s of letters and pleas.
I'm just so sick of being broke, embarrassed, angry, hopeless you name it.
In the last couple of month both my dad and my grandma were in different hospitals that are very highly rated. The nurses were so completely incompetent. I literally had to explain stuff to them and I even had to put an IV port on my grandmother bc 3 of them couldn't. They walked out I took the stuff.. One two three done. I told them some nurse came in and did it... It just burns me inside that they get to do a job that I loved and did so much better.. I worked at a subacute place and had 3 times more patient and they were so much heavier. Constant codes, infectious diseases wounds that you could put your head in.. Vents.. All in the same day. I helped others bc I never took a lunch or peed or breathed. I would clock out and stay with dying patients. Holding their hands and talking to them even if they were not awake. I was super nurse!
These nurses... I don't know where they bought their licenses..
At one of my jobs a patient died bc a nurse neglected him, knowingly.. She is still a nurse. Another one put a can of feeding in a wound drain.. Person had to be rushed back into surgery. She is still practicing. Another nurse that stole narcotics from her patients on regular basis and had a hapbbit of just walking out in the middle of the shift bc it was too stressful. She is still practicing.. It is killing me! And there are more stories like that as I'm sure every nurse knows. It's so frustrating!
It was my fault for driving drunk of course, but I more than paid for it! The judge was harsh on me bc of my bac.
I thought it's finally over, but it was not..
I will never get over this.. I have ptsd from this and ramp... I cried for a year straight.
Yes, these programs are corrupt. If you asked the average person about the fairness of these programs, they would probably state that they sound fair. In fact, many would probably state the nurse should lose their license for good. No one wants a drunk/impaired nurse taking care of them or their loved ones. Therein lies the problem. These programs know this and, I'm sure over many years, have morphed into what they are-money grabs under the guise of "protecting the public". Our legislators know this and that's probably why they won't even entertain the idea of acting upon the complaints. I hate to be a fly in the ointment, but I don't see things changing anytime soon.
SheelaDavis
123 Posts
Sure