Advice

[tanjak]

Hello to all the nurses!

I'm a pharmaceutical rep (be kind!) who'd like some advice straight from the source. I call on nurses to use my company's nebulizer solutions. My job is 95% phone work.

Basically, doctors and nurses send scripts directly to me. I then call the patient to let them know we'll home deliver their meds.

I'd love to hear the best way to approach you, as well as the worst! I want to do the best I possibly can at my job without being a pest to nurses, so any advice you can give me as to what makes you most receptive would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much! You all do a heck of a job!

[kellyjrn]

I see you haven't gotten any replies, and the only reason I am writing to you is to see if you realize why you have no replies: We, as nurses, pretty much have no choice in the hospital environment as to what drugs we use, what method we give it, etc...it is all ordered by doctors or the hospital itself makes it's purchases and decisions and we just have to go with the flow. Also, if you sell things like nebulizers or breathing type treatments, maybe the persons you need to talk to are doctors and respiratory therapists. They deal more with the orders of such things, and the use of such things. Just a suggestion. In your question as to how to approach us as nurses, we are so busy that we would probably prefer you went to the charge nurse or supervisor for the floor than to us. We will be unable to decide whether or not we use your device anyway in most cases....and are so busy that it would really be a burden to have to hear a sales pitch in the middle of the day when we have so much to do, so much going on. I hope I haven't offended you in anyway, just wanted to give you some insight. If your target was in the clinic setting or doctor's office then I have no insight for you there...good luck!!

[BeachNurse]

Well I am a research coordinator, but I work in an academic setting and we deal mainly with outpatients in a specialty clinic. Our nurse case managers deal with patient complaints and comments about different meds our docs prescribe. In my opinion, (at least in this type of environment), it is helpful to approach the nurses. Our physicians value the input of the nurses. Try asking the nurses "What are your patients saying about drug X?", "What are your docs saying about drug x?", "are you hearing complaints of this or that", "how do patients feel the drug is/is not helping them?"

I am in agreement with KellyJ on the fact that we have pretty much NO say in what is prescribed. It is up to the physicians to decide what they do and don't want to try out with patients. Our pharm reps occasionally come in and do a little inservice about their drug (lunch/breakfast/snack provided, of course!). Getting nurses and MD's together at some type of gathering (during lunch or early in the am before it's busy) seems to be an effective way to get input. Food is the key! Gets everyone's attention. :)

Keep in mind that I am not describing a scenario that is likely to occur on your average busy, understaffed hospital floor. I am talking about an outpatient setting. Don't get me wrong--it's gets busy here, too, but you could work in a little "talk" somewhere in the day. Our pharm reps are welcomed by all! Good Luck

[debbyed]

Actually I believe that some nurses are underrating their effect on what physicians order. Many of our ER docs are fairly new to the field and know that I and several others have been practicing for >20 years. Most will ask for ideas and opinions when they feel that they can trust you.

The best way, again in my opinion, is to invite nurses to Lunch/Dinner or even breakfast (for those working night shift) We have a couple Reps that have done this. It becomes a social event, you become more familar with each other and are not distracted about the work you'll have to catch up on later. Once a relationship is established then when something new comes along you can contact these nurses as aquaintances and they will be more likely to give you the time you need.

The worse time to approach, at least for me, in at the end of a 12 hour shift. All I want to do than is to get the Heck out of there, even if you have brought food.:)

[galenight, BSN, RN]

I work Er in a small rural hospital. We will pay more attention to you in person as opposed to over the phone. Also it is helpful to remember that there are other shifts besides 1st shift. We work 8 hour shifts at my hospital, and 2nd and 3rd shift are always forgotten. We have opinions as well, and lots of good input for reps. We do not appreciate leftover (on the rare occasion there is some) stale donuts. And we like goodies, it really helps to break the ice, pens are nice as are penlights etc. When we have them it really does "remind" the doc of his options. I'm not sure those are the answers you were looking for but I hope it helps some. Good luck.