Becoming a Rx company Rep.

augigi, CNS · Feb 17, 2006

Check out some employment websites for average salary etc. Usually experience in the field related to the medication (eg. critical care/anesthesia for anesthesia meds, cardiac for cardiac meds etc) is required.

You may not require a BSN, the best thing to do is just check the job lists at the drug company websites - they are always looking for staff. Good luck :)

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 18, 2006

A bachelor's degree in just about anything is a pre-requisite for this kind of job. A BSN is not a specific requirement. Many of the reps I've talked with have their degrees in business or psychology. They got their jobs often through a head hunter agency. You can consider these to be similar to executive kinds of positions. The reason is because a drug rep has to be able to read and understand the research and clinical trial information about the drugs he/she is going to be selling to the doctors and various facilities. You have to know everything about the drugs you are selling and be able to answer questions and speak on the same level with MDs about them. There is a substantial amount of paperwork that has to be done and reports and meetings with the sales department that a drug rep must attend. For this reason, the bachelor's degree is a requirement. A person in this position must be educated and demonstrate that they can think and work independently. It is a very responsible position and the pay is awesome. You can earn up into the six figures depending on what you sell and whether or not you work on commission. These positions require a lot of traveling as most reps are given a "territory" to service. Service meaning that you can get calls that you are expected to respond to at any time from customers who need information or assistance with a product you have sold to them. There is no time clock for these jobs. You would put in many hours of homework on your own time (above and beyond 40 hours a week) to be successful at this career.

augigi, CNS · Feb 18, 2006

I'd have to agree on the hours, travel and commitment required for success!

I work for a medical device company in a clinical/excutive (not sales) role, but it's similar. You don't want to be standing in front of an audience of docs and realize you can't answer a question, so a LOT of personal time is used in further education/studying literature etc. Things vary depending on whether you are selling an approved drug or supporting a clinical trial drug, but it is a lot of travel and pretty tiring.

I would hire an RN with experience who was interested and eager to learn before I hired someone with more degrees but less interest - paperwork doesn't require a degree, and you can teach data but not enthusiasm.

carrie13 · Feb 20, 2006

I have a good friend that works as a rep for a major pharmaceutical company. He has a BS in Business and had no healthcare experience prior to getting this job. Was hired directly out of college at a starting pay in the high $30K's per year. In the 5 years he has been working there his pay has increased to over $75K per year....BUT he works easily 80 hours per week. Plus travels all the time. He often has to travel on Sunday to make early Monday morning meetings and doesn't return home until late Friday night. If you break down the amount of hours worked -vs- the pay rate he is making about $18/hour.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Mar 15, 2006

Journal on Pharmaceutical Marketing. Copies of full text articles from back issues are free:

http://www.stacommunications.com/journals/cpm/archive.html