Medical Device Reps vs med school?

[Consigliere]

I am horrid at chemistry.

Add English to that list as well.

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[pgg]

Paragraphs, man.

 

[Nivens]

Hi guys and gals,
I see this is an active old thread and an interesting topic. I came here for some advice. I am 31 years old. I almost have a bachelors...have an associates in science...could get a bachelor's within the year. However, as I kept debating between OT, HIM ( Health Information. ), and nurse practitioner. I know Ot ( Occupational therapy ). would be rewarding seeing patients and how they do long term. Let me fast fwd....I am looking into N.P school nurse practitioner. However first you have to become a nurse. It would take this year to finish reqs...plus knock out every single science within the r.n program ...so it would just he nursing courses. However nursing school would be 2 years, so that's 1 year now plus 2 rn...totalling 3 years. Plus give a month or two for the boards. Then Np schools are getting faster in length. About an average of 20 months. So lets say 5 years total or 5 1/2. There is so much debate about entry salary for np ( in my case family np and psych )...I have hear 8ok to start to my former professor( who was an endocrinologist )I took Ap1 and 2 the same semester and was the only non nursing major in thst profs class. They combined Ap1 and Ap12 in one class...one semester. Two labs a week. My former prof said 125k he seen for starting N.P. Idk if this is true.
Not to make this long...but I have had my doubts...am I too old. Is this the right road? The thing is I thought about medical sales as per the topic, salaries of N.P. However I like A&P to the point I am taking an advance physiology course at the Junior level. I am horrid at chemistry. A&P easy bc I like it. I like learning new things of the human body. When I see athletes with a fwd deposition and can tell they lack thoracic extension bc the they have to much internal rotation of the head of the humerous...I can just feel someone's back and know. If some on has a C5, you know that their hands can be effected, unless R. Syndrome...and if paralyzed all the nerves that go to each vertebrae below that injury, those systems effected. I remember walking out no class and nurse students would pick my brain on T and B cells. Idk what it is I like A&P. Never thought that heading into the classes. However I have no kids, I am not married, and 5 years maybe 6 seem so long...for my chances to have one. I also had people say I do not think like a nurse by the way I talk and analyze and want to know a reason behind everything. Between thinking I am to old for NP, to salary, to my situation. I just wanted to gather your huys thoughts.
I should also add I was into weight training...6 days a week, 5 meals a day....and was a top H.S athlete for baseball...was in the paper and announced a minor league field. Many asked if I wanted to play for a semi pro football team and walk on to possibly get a scholarship for athletics. However I got hit by an opponent I never seen coming. I was doing an exercise called a preacher curl..of all exercises. A one arm dumbbell....and the weight fell from my hands. I was literally a man child and I modeled. This was rare for me to lose strength. ..and all of a sudden I knew something was wrong. I ended up w an ileostomy. It is reversible...have had it for 11 years now. So that sucked lol. However I was an to go back into the gym and went from 129lbs to 207 in 3 years. I stopped training for awhile so now 180. But thought I'd give a brief bistory. So I do love business as a caveat. Just wanted your guys thoughts on NP...salary, my age, and medical sales. I know I could do stormy supplies lol. In all seriousness...thoughts on those. I am taking microbiology now. So I got to stop writing. Grades got all A and B.s. I medical term, Ap, physics etc. Chemistry and micro seem to be a week point thus far.
Advice Much appreciated.

Wandered into a pit of vipers my friend- not going to find what you're looking for here. Best to keep moving, sorry!

 

[bashwell]

Hi guys and gals,
I see this is an active old thread and an interesting topic. I came here for some advice. I am 31 years old. I almost have a bachelors...have an associates in science...could get a bachelor's within the year. However, as I kept debating between OT, HIM ( Health Information. ), and nurse practitioner. I know Ot ( Occupational therapy ). would be rewarding seeing patients and how they do long term. Let me fast fwd....I am looking into N.P school nurse practitioner. However first you have to become a nurse. It would take this year to finish reqs...plus knock out every single science within the r.n program ...so it would just he nursing courses. However nursing school would be 2 years, so that's 1 year now plus 2 rn...totalling 3 years. Plus give a month or two for the boards. Then Np schools are getting faster in length. About an average of 20 months. So lets say 5 years total or 5 1/2. There is so much debate about entry salary for np ( in my case family np and psych )...I have hear 8ok to start to my former professor( who was an endocrinologist )I took Ap1 and 2 the same semester and was the only non nursing major in thst profs class. They combined Ap1 and Ap12 in one class...one semester. Two labs a week. My former prof said 125k he seen for starting N.P. Idk if this is true.
Not to make this long...but I have had my doubts...am I too old. Is this the right road? The thing is I thought about medical sales as per the topic, salaries of N.P. However I like A&P to the point I am taking an advance physiology course at the Junior level. I am horrid at chemistry. A&P easy bc I like it. I like learning new things of the human body. When I see athletes with a fwd deposition and can tell they lack thoracic extension bc the they have to much internal rotation of the head of the humerous...I can just feel someone's back and know. If some on has a C5, you know that their hands can be effected, unless R. Syndrome...and if paralyzed all the nerves that go to each vertebrae below that injury, those systems effected. I remember walking out no class and nurse students would pick my brain on T and B cells. Idk what it is I like A&P. Never thought that heading into the classes. However I have no kids, I am not married, and 5 years maybe 6 seem so long...for my chances to have one. I also had people say I do not think like a nurse by the way I talk and analyze and want to know a reason behind everything. Between thinking I am to old for NP, to salary, to my situation. I just wanted to gather your huys thoughts.
I should also add I was into weight training...6 days a week, 5 meals a day....and was a top H.S athlete for baseball...was in the paper and announced a minor league field. Many asked if I wanted to play for a semi pro football team and walk on to possibly get a scholarship for athletics. However I got hit by an opponent I never seen coming. I was doing an exercise called a preacher curl..of all exercises. A one arm dumbbell....and the weight fell from my hands. I was literally a man child and I modeled. This was rare for me to lose strength. ..and all of a sudden I knew something was wrong. I ended up w an ileostomy. It is reversible...have had it for 11 years now. So that sucked lol. However I was an to go back into the gym and went from 129lbs to 207 in 3 years. I stopped training for awhile so now 180. But thought I'd give a brief bistory. So I do love business as a caveat. Just wanted your guys thoughts on NP...salary, my age, and medical sales. I know I could do stormy supplies lol. In all seriousness...thoughts on those. I am taking microbiology now. So I got to stop writing. Grades got all A and B.s. I medical term, Ap, physics etc. Chemistry and micro seem to be a week point thus far.
Advice Much appreciated.

If I understand the main points correctly:
-31 years old
-Taking undergrad science classes
-Debating becoming a nurse vs NP vs OT vs health information specialist vs medical sales person

Main question is whether you're too old for any of these careers? If that's your main question, then I would think the answer is no you're not too old to do any of these. But the bigger issue is you really need to narrow down what you want to do because they're all very different careers. (Also, friendly advice, hope that's ok, you might want to make your question much more concise in the future, otherwise most people probably won't want to read through a long and wordy question that rambles on and on).

 

[kidthor]

If I understand the main points correctly:
-31 years old
-Taking undergrad science classes
-Debating becoming a nurse vs NP vs OT vs health information specialist vs medical sales person

Main question is whether you're too old for any of these careers? If that's your main question, then I would think the answer is no you're not too old to do any of these. But the bigger issue is you really need to narrow down what you want to do because they're all very different careers. (Also, friendly advice, hope that's ok, you might want to make your question much more concise in the future, otherwise most people probably won't want to read through a long and wordy question that rambles on and on).

Also, consider a brain transplant.

 

[WholeLottaGame7]

If I understand the main points correctly:
-31 years old
-Taking undergrad science classes
-Debating becoming a nurse vs NP vs OT vs health information specialist vs medical sales person

Main question is whether you're too old for any of these careers? If that's your main question, then I would think the answer is no you're not too old to do any of these. But the bigger issue is you really need to narrow down what you want to do because they're all very different careers. (Also, friendly advice, hope that's ok, you might want to make your question much more concise in the future, otherwise most people probably won't want to read through a long and wordy question that rambles on and on).

Thanks for taking one for the team and actually answering his question. I feel like I'm usually pretty good about being helpful to annoying/clueless/etc individuals, but I just couldn't pull it together this time.

 

[NotGODbutImheretoparty]

People who choose a career just because of the paycheck are doomed to be unhappy. "Do what you love and you will not work a day in your life." Wiser words have never been spoken (apparently by Confucius).

To me, switching from medical device sales to medicine is as preposterous as the other way round. Salespeople don't make good doctors (putting yourself first vs putting others first). Go do a masters in healthcare administration instead; you'll be happier.

Just my 2 cents.

However, "Happiness is gained through achievement"-Ray Kroc

 

[GA8314]

I have been a long time lurker on this board and have learned quite a bit. I've done a search and have a question for the residents/attendings etc.

Knowing what you know now, if you were a 26 year old non-trad with a choice between med school and medical device sales, which route would you take?

I know med device sales can be pretty lucrative and a very good job opportunity. It gets you in the OR working with physicians with the latest surgical equipment etc. Would you want ~150-200k in debt and not make money for until you were 34, or work in medical sales and make a decent living?

I see the ortho device guys around, Da Vinci, you name it. We all do. I thank my lucky stars I chose what I did every time I see them around. And, even the higher end guys.

Some will argue the opportunity cost angle which is legit, but currently, for a device rep to make what I make he needs to be relatively high up the chain, and not, likely, one of the dudes/dudettes I see on a regular basis in the OR's. The 500k+ people are typically regional managers or VP level even. Just my 2 cents....

 

[nexus73]

Sales can be a strange job. The actual salesperson can make more than their manager if they exceed expectations. But sales is not for everyone. You've got to be happy and smiling everyday, even if you're not happy. Even if the door was slammed in your face at the last 5 doctor's offices you visited. Even if you grandma died last night. It's putting on a front so people like you because they're only partially buying the product, but largely they're buying you and the external presentation you show up with. I would find this kind of persistent false presentation day in and day out exhausting. From the reps I've seen, there's almost always a disconnect between how excited they are about a medication and how excited I imagine any actual person could truly be about a medication. For example "Invega sustenna is such an AMAZING drug!!" Seriously?? Calm down bro. It seems soul sucking, and at the end of the day what really is your purpose in life? To get some doctor to prescribe more brand name med, or get some surgeon to use your hernia mesh? Good lord. But for some people they love to BS, and love talking, and have high energy, and it's a way to make good money. Also seems some of them like to pretend they work in healthcare, so if you want that mini ego boost without doing any of the work, it might be a good option.

 

[Magnus67]

One of my favorite quotes from The Departed. "Do you want to be a cop?, or just appear to be a cop." Do you want to work in healthcare or just appear to?


Sent from my iPad using SDN mobile

 

[Nivens]

One of my favorite quotes from The Departed. "Do you want to be a cop?, or just appear to be a cop." Do you want to work in healthcare or just appear to?


Sent from my iPad using SDN mobile

It's "cawp", c'mon man.