Nursing-Healthcare Admin and Pharmaceuticals?

Boog'sCRRN246, RN · Dec 29, 2008

I've seen several nurses working as drug reps for pharmaceutical companies at the outpatient clinic were I work.

lamazeteacher · Dec 29, 2008

I've seen several nurses working as drug reps for pharmaceutical companies at the outpatient clinic were I work.

I hope the age of cutesy, high heeled, short skirted nurse/tall, handsome, rugged over enthusiastic drug reps and their high salaries, cost increasing samples, pens, gadgets, free meals with booze, etc. will soon be over when Universal Health Care (or whatever it is called) is in force.

When my family and friends suggest that I work in that role, I act shocked and proclaim that if I wanted to prostitute myself there are easier ways of doing that!

Health care provision needs negotiaters, not more salespeople proclaiming theirs is the best drug for whatever; and exorbitantly expensive, repetative TV ads that have patients exasperating their physicians, demanding pharmaceuticals that usually are not appropriate for them - especially erection strengtheners. :nurse:

lamazeteacher · Dec 29, 2008

"I heard nurses can work for insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies. What does Healthcare administration entail" quote from mac06 post

Last but not least answer to the last question, first. Flip, but accurate: If you have to ask what administration entails, you're not ready to do it. Usually nurses climb career ladders like employees in any other industry, demonstrating their capability/skills, organizational, problem solving, critical thinking skills, leadership that involves all parts of concerns; and being in the right place at the right time. Occasionally someone in an administrative will take a nurse as their assistant, under his/her "wing" and provide OJT (on-the-job training). That can work, but that nurse would be wise to never exceed the abilities of the main bird..........as long as that person stays in their position. It can be a long, long wait before you come into your own, and by then his/her methods can have become so entrenched in your mind, and others expect you to do it her way, that improving or adding newer methods is very difficult and incurs resistance among others.

I've seen people like that who, upon finally gaining the position they yearned for all those years, receive information from higher ups seeking new blood, that a masters degree is now required........ and someone who has that will be arriving next week..............

I recently worked as a "Disease Manager" in the OB section of the education department of Blue Cross/Blue Shield/Anthem/you name it health insurance company. Having that service costs big employers millions, and does save money, as it IDs those at high risk who might still be able to stay out of hospital, and need frequent telephone monitoring. However whose money is saved, is always the insurance company's. The "party line" is literally in effect, as calls are monitored frequently to be sure the "managers" are keeping to the script (which often errs). Continuity of care by having the same nurse calling the same patient/member (the client is clearly the employer) is second to volume of calls made. There is great pressure to call more and more "members", which is appropriate in campaigns for politicians, but not when delivering crucial health information.

They also use nurses with much experience, to determine whether a surgical or other costly procedure is indicated. I don't know why they want an experienced nurse, as scripts are used there as well. Anyone who can read can do it, and often "no" is the first answer given, and time consuming appeals need to be made to change that and get needed joint replacements,etc. The favorite cause of denial is "that's still being researched". There seems to be no limit on that one......

If you went into nursing to care for others, pharmaceutical and insurance companies won't give you the satisfaction that providing good nursing care will.