First off, let me start by saying that no, I am not a nurse, but also, this is NOT a solicitation, or advertisement of any kind. I'll get right to the point here. I am a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a degree in journalism/advertising. I've been given this assignment/project at a local agency to do what you could call a "test run" for a potential job opportunity. Here's where you come in.
One of their clients is GE health care. Recently, GE set up a booth at a Critical Care nurses convention and gave aways some pretty cool stuff like personalized scrubs, buttons, and this awesome "The power of nursing" book with some cool famous quotes that were designed to basically reflect the worlds appreciation for the job nurses do. I actually have two friends that are nurses, and after hearing their stories, my God!
Anyway, the job here is that the agency is sending more free stuff to these nurses...Heck, maybe some of them are on this board! But as always, cost is a factor. We're talking 10 bucks here. So my question is, if you had your choice, what could we send you?
Besides the budget, the sky is the limit here. I've thought about personalized clipboards and four color pens, to mugs to a relaxation kit that would include an oversized (think sleepwear) t-shirt with the GE Peacock on it, maybe some foot scrub and scented bubble bath.. After hearing my friends stories, it sounds like nurses could use as many relaxation, "me" nights as possible!
Anyway, if the community at Allnurses could lend me a hand, I'd really really appreciate it!
I have ethical issues with sales reps gifting docs and nurses with meals and trinkets. Better to put those funds into decreased product/medication costs. I think this is a very interesting topic for discussion and we could spend an entire seminar discussing it
Yes, they do this in all areas of business and industry, and it is certainly traditional in healthcare, but our industry is unlike the others.
Yes, well-meaning reps may think of this practice as offering a harmless thank you to us for listening to their pitches and using their products, the bottom line is that these giveaways amount to advertising, at the very least.
No, your free pen or clipbpard or bagel will not directly deprive a low-income person of their expensive meds but, in total, these practices add to the costs of meds and equipment.
A possible exception to this is drug companies providing free samples for patients through docs' offices.
I just think it's wrong, and that this practice should be reexamined in our industry.
I worked at two doctor's offices that almost completely stocked their office supplies with freebies. I too am against this form of marketing/advertising on us.... But, the clinics that I worked for were mainly for lower income individuals and we saw a lot of patients, and we gave away a lot of med. samples. The samples were very helpful to so many, but we always had the thrifty person driving a brand new mercedes benz asking for them so it's hard to judge. The best things that I saw being given out to nurses when I worked there where things that they didn't use in the office, like collapsable coolers, reusable ice packs, cozy flight blankets, under desk foot warmers, fruit baskets, sunglass clips, bottles of lotion. (Note, these were usually from local pharmacies that were very innovative to get us to refer patients)
elcue
164 Posts
I have ethical issues with sales reps gifting docs and nurses with meals and trinkets. Better to put those funds into decreased product/medication costs. I think this is a very interesting topic for discussion and we could spend an entire seminar discussing it
Yes, they do this in all areas of business and industry, and it is certainly traditional in healthcare, but our industry is unlike the others.
Yes, well-meaning reps may think of this practice as offering a harmless thank you to us for listening to their pitches and using their products, the bottom line is that these giveaways amount to advertising, at the very least.
No, your free pen or clipbpard or bagel will not directly deprive a low-income person of their expensive meds but, in total, these practices add to the costs of meds and equipment.
A possible exception to this is drug companies providing free samples for patients through docs' offices.
I just think it's wrong, and that this practice should be reexamined in our industry.
Linda