Recovery and Monitoring Program in NJ

myfluffyone · Aug 2, 2011

good luck to you , I've been in ramp since 12/2006 almost done!! it goes very fast as long as you do the right thing and go to your meetings.

NJRN29 · Feb 28, 2012

I was originaly referred to ramp march 2010 for narcotic diversion. I withdrew from the program at that for financial reasons and I was totally overwhelmed. The intake person at the time was rude and gave you very little information but expected you to know everything. I just recently contacted ramp again and I am awaiting my packet with my letter in it. Im nervous but I feel a lot better about it. I have been clean since september. I know s few people who are further along then me and they all say it gets easier and most of them are working. It makes me feel like I have a realistic goal to workand toward. It seems like im going to have a urine drug screen three times a month? Im trying to figure out about how much money I need a month for everything. The intake coordinator said that I don't need to worry about therapy until I've been in the program 90 days and I will get an eval then. Hope you are all doing well and thanks for any advice or information that you might be able to offer.

mary10 · Feb 29, 2012

Good luck to you in your newfound sobriety. I'm a NJ Ramp graduate....for me, it was a difficult road at times, but once I got through the shame and embarrasment and learned to take it one day at a time, well I just started to feel something positive. I found that I had to stay away from the negativity that some nurses brought into Ramp meetings so that I could continue to go forward. Keep focusing on the big picture: your sobriety and going back to your career. Don't get caught up in all the complaining...it's energy wasted. The program works...my prayers will be with you.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Mar 1, 2012

Just remember: with sobriety, everything is possible; without it, nothing is.

Wishing you the best in moving forward with your career and your life! :hug:

PLTSGT · Apr 4, 2012

I graduated from RAMP early last year (2011). What I learned is sticking with the program and be assertive but don't rattle RAMP's or your group's cages because they may think that you're not compliant! Like most successful graduates do: going under the radar until you're done.

sunxfire, DNP · Dec 23, 2015

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 them. 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....

Articles:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/where-science-meets-the-steps/201410/5-ways-we-punish-addicts-and-why-we-should-stop

http://www.instituteforaddictionstudy.com/PDF/Addiction%20Q%20%26%20A.pdf

megbabyrn · Mar 9, 2016

sunxfire,

i so feel your pain!! I started out in RAMp in 2010 after the death of my 26 y/o son of an accidental drug overdose on 4/26/10. I was sent away to Florida only 2 12 months after he died. I returned to work too early, financial reasons, and was not ready. My problem is/was alcohol. An I take RN, very rude, pushy insisted that i get on a plane the next day, if lose my license!! My daughter was 6 at the time, no local family, etc!! Now, that my head is cleared from the acute grief, whose authority did she make that threat??? No MD/DO backed her/ RAMP!! They were dictating treatment plans without medical backing at all!! I switched to Professional Assistance Program of NJ, run by Dr Baxter. Guess what, if you gave insurance, you get a script to pay for your urines!! Yes, there are fees, but what you get in return is worth it!!

RAMP continues to dictate nurses treatment plans without medical backing. Check it out!!

megbabyrn

NYNPMAN · Mar 23, 2016

I am an RN in NY and have since moved to NJ, in 2011 I was put on probation for not properly documenting wasting of narcotics, never drug tested and no diversion was mentioned. Now when I applied for a NJ license I am placed into RAMP. It has been 5 years since the NY trouble. I just started. I have a case manager. I have no idea what it is I am being monitored for, everyone else in the group are IV drug users or have got caught dirty in a urine test. Some people are being monitored for over two years....really?

ZahirNP · Aug 10, 2017

To NJRNMan I also have been referred to RAMP for the same reason as you. How has your experience been and how long does this program take? Any helpful advice? Were you offered any other alternative vs completing this program?

RNPA11 · Dec 3, 2018

Hey! question for you. Have you ever seen anyone petition for release from RAMP successfully? Or an out of state monitoring be honored. My situation is that I am a PA RN being monitored out of state here by PNAP due to applying for licensure in NJ and having to monitor by RAMP. So my original contract by RAMP is 5 years but I am hoping to petition at 3 years for release which is PNAPs (PA) requirement.