Pharmaceutical Sales?

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Have any of you fellow nurses had any experience with this? I was talking to a few people *non-nurses* who said that there is good money in this, etc. They said being a nurse would be an advantage. I am not saying I want to jump up and do this, but I'd like to know what you guys think.

Jess

Specializes in Peds Oncology, Public Health, Peds Emerg.

I have family members and close friends in pharm sales. All will say the same thing - you can do very well, and there can be some great perks (though not even close to how great it *used* to be - perks have been cut WAY back across the industry), but you will have to put up with a ton of crap, very rude docs, etc. Just yesterday, my sister-in-law, who is a VERY good sales rep, met with a specialist. She has a brand new arthritis product, and when she met with him, he picked up the garbage can and said, "Sure, I'll take anything you have. Just drop it right in here. Yep, that's it, all of it." This is only one example of the crap she's had to put up with. My impression, from some of these friends, is that drug reps can sometimes be considered in a pretty bad light by those they are trying to sell to.

I for one would hate sales, but that's just me. Unless you REALLY and TRULY believe in what you are trying to sell, I think it would be pain and agony.

There are other industries you can get into. Our good friend makes TONS TONS TONS of money in scope sales, ie: GI scopes, endoscopes, etc. Then you are selling to hospitals, private clinics, etc. If you are thinking sales, why not try a company who sells products other than drugs? Lots of great perks in those companies too.

Just a thought.

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Here is a BIG downside to repping:

I've seen drug reps do ANYTHING for business. Actually know a local MD (unfortunately he was my boss at one time, but thankfully I got out FAST) who is so specialized and with such a big practice, he can ruin certain drug reps local sales. And he does. If the drug rep isn't quick with the free dinners, office supplies, meds, Dr. X brings them into the office and politely tells them to get ready for a transfer because the sales are going to start to go down. He also throws them out of his office and refuses to see them again. He truely prescribed drugs on how well he is treated by the reps. And he also threatened them with ruining their sales. Here is a list of what Dr. X has his drug reps do, and if they don't "No more scripts for you!"

1. Rep took his 5 dogs to the groomers every 4 weeks.

2. Washed his cars (?!)

3. Dinner out once a week at very expensive restaurant.

4. Expected more visits by the rep than what was required by drug company.

5. Constant stock of samples, heaven forbid he ran out (but he did pass these on to pts who didn't have good med insurance, so that was nice)

6. Supplied B/P cuffs, table paper, and any other equipment the drug rep had- even when he didn't have a need for that specific med.

________________

that physician should be reported to the licensing board of his or her state asap. it is unethical. period.

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.

Before I came here, I worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative. Yes, it is a very rewarding job, Aside from a basic salary, I have meals allowances, lodging expenses are reimbursible and I am provided with a budget that I can used for marketing puropses like bring a doctor to dinner, etc. I also have free insurance and other benefits. If I met my sales target I get commissions/incentives from that. In sales, the more you do, the more rewards in return.

One thing I can say, is the job is mentally stressful in a sense that when I am at home with my family I am still thinking whether I made the right sales presentation to the doctor or is he going to prescribe my product?

And it is an advantage if one has a nursing background. I have seen a lot of nurses who became successful in this field going as high to becoming a marketing director.

To sum it up, I am happy that I worked as a pharma rep.

Have any of you fellow nurses had any experience with this? I was talking to a few people *non-nurses* who said that there is good money in this, etc. They said being a nurse would be an advantage. I am not saying I want to jump up and do this, but I'd like to know what you guys think.

Jess

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Specializes in community health, LTC, SNF, Tele-Health.

Can I just say Cha-Ching! They make good money around here. I had an offer come my way a few months ago and it was upwards of 65k. I should have taken it but it was a lot of travelling. Its good if your single and don't have kids, or if you find a company that only requires local travel. They offer good mileage reimbursment, laptops, inservices in Florida, among other things..

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

i have a couple of friends that are reps that used to be nurses and they don't regret it all. both of these women knew they would hate hospital nursing so they did the one year of bedside experience and got out. there is crap in every job (literally for some of us). at least reps don't have to worry about weekends and holidays:wink2:

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You have to also chose the right drug company. A lot of drug firm's pipelines are running dry as they lose their patents and their drugs go generic. Also stay away from a company like Merck that is facing unlimited Vioxx liability.

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Specializes in psych,emergency,telemetry,home health.

i worked for more than 4 years as a psychiatric nurse after graduation.then just got tired and wanted something different so i worked as a medical/pharmaceutical representative.the pay is good especially if your product is selling good in the market.i didn't have sales experience but i was able to do it for a year.

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Right before I started my prereq's I got an offer to be a pharma rep. 45k base plus commission. I turned it down. I want to go to nursing school. I have been a rep all my life. Rep jobs CAN be good jobs, but if you loose your job, good luck finding another one. With nursing, as far as I understand, if you loose your job, you can always find another one. I was with one company for 10 years (everyone would know the name), they decided they needed newer (read younger) blood so they restructured and let many people go. One guy was 53 and 2 years away from retirement. He worked for them his entire career life but they let him go 2 years from retirement so they would not have to pay bennies.

Welcome to corporate America. I have been there and done that!

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I agree with the last two posts. When so many americans are struggling to pay for their RX's, I couldn't work for an industry that's all about $$$$$$$$.

So who do you think should pay for their medicines?

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I am a nursing student but have been in sales for 12 years prior to going back to school. I actually considered pharma sales but after talking to a few reps decided not to go that route. Personally, I would take a good look at things like, do you want a family someday? I am assuming that you could always fall back on nursing but keep in mind that successful sales reps put in a TON of hours. Yes, they do make great money but it is a profession that requires travel, and in most cases, 40++ hrs per week (from home, at night, etc). I loved my sales job until I got married and had my first baby. Don't get me wrong, pharma companies have a lot to offer but I think some people veiw sales positions as "cake" jobs where people get paid a lot of money for minimal work. On the other hand, if you are truely thinking this is the route for you, a nursing degree will be very helpful in getting your foot in the door.

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I am a nursing student but have been in sales for 12 years prior to going back to school. I actually considered pharma sales but after talking to a few reps decided not to go that route. Personally, I would take a good look at things like, do you want a family someday? I am assuming that you could always fall back on nursing but keep in mind that successful sales reps put in a TON of hours. Yes, they do make great money but it is a profession that requires travel, and in most cases, 40++ hrs per week (from home, at night, etc). I loved my sales job until I got married and had my first baby. Don't get me wrong, pharma companies have a lot to offer but I think some people veiw sales positions as "cake" jobs where people get paid a lot of money for minimal work. On the other hand, if you are truely thinking this is the route for you, a nursing degree will be very helpful in getting your foot in the door.

Well... I do want a family someday, but as I see it, I'm young, I want to travel, and I could use the money for saving (house, etc.) I've been told by many people that I'm outgoing and have a good personality which would be great for sales. I just figure... if I could do it and make good money while I'm young, why not??

Thanks for all of your input so far. Who would I need to talk to to get into this??

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I think to be a good pharmaceutical sales representative you would have to have faith in the whole for profit pharmaceutical development and distribution system (and to some extent, faith in American-style laissez-faire capitalism). If you aren't a true believer, you would lose steam quickly (sales is hard work and you need a thick skin and be able to be nice when you don't want to be) or it might corrupt you or make you cynical.

I'm basically a socialist and I don't have those faiths, so I'd absolutely hate it and be horrible at it. But to each his own...

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