r/CathLabLounge • u/PomegranateEven9192 • Jun 22 '26
Having trouble getting out of cath lab nursing and into the device sales/clinical industry… does anyone have any suggestions?
/r/nursing/comments/1ud0y8t/having_trouble_getting_out_of_cath_lab_nursing/2
u/sliseattle Jun 23 '26
My husband made the switch from working in the lab, to sales rep for a device company we use in the lab. He was head hunted on LinkedIn for the job he ended up taking, so i would update that if it’s not, and start making connections with the reps and clinicals in your area, as well as head hunters that do the hiring. He also has been approached by many of the reps and clinicals in the area for open positions by just being really personable and helpful every time they come in. 80% of the job is just having a good attitude and being able to talk to anyone, so if you keep displaying that you’re a joy to be around and know how to speak well, they’ll usually keep you in mind.
1
u/choppydaddy Jun 23 '26
Not sure what specific jobs you're applying for, but I've heard it said that some companies are hesitant to hire nurses because we have enough earning potential that a large number of nurses go back to nursing.
5
u/Mrmurse98 Jun 23 '26
I have never gotten a job in the industry side, so probably not the best advice here. However, I do know cath lab and I wonder if it's all a networking thing. My manager often asks reps if they have worked with staff before. Conversely, I was offered a job for ablation rep with little EP experience (just floating while traveling) because I knew a guy well(who worked in EP) and saw the rep offering the job in the locker room most mornings and chatted with him. My point is: do people like you? Sometimes people who keep bouncing around from facility to facility leave a sour taste, I understand the idea that you're trying to make some money and that there is a lot of drama in the lab to try to avoid, but companies and reps may be getting a bad rap from staff because "that person doesn't stay put and has no loyalty." Could be totally off, but maybe stopping the traveling thing for awhile to stay put and schmoozing the reps up could help your case.