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The pharmaceuticals sector is booming in the US, with the pandemic and the aging population being the key growth catalysts for the industry. The country is home to many leading pharma companies and accounts for about 22% of global production and 45% of market share. The growth isn’t likely to slow down in the future.
Statistics are equally impressive on the employment front, with 1.3 million people in the pharmaceutical workforce. The opportunities are diverse, from drug manufacturing to retail, distribution, research, and testing. Despite the number of people already working in these sectors, the demand is still rising with the industry’s growth.
Not surprisingly, healthcare professionals from various domains are keen to join the pharmaceutical bandwagon. Nursing professionals are no exception. They have a good reason to switch to a career in pharma because it is more lucrative and less taxing. But navigating a career transition requires a strategic approach and good planning.
Here are a few actionable tips to create a roadmap for a career swap from the nursing to the pharma industry:
Identify Your Career Options
Money is often the primary motivation for people looking for career swaps. The same applies to professionals moving from nursing to pharmacy. Nurses earn an average salary of $80,335 per year, while pharmacists make $116,855 per year. Moreover, the work-life balance is far better for pharmacists.
Here are a few other career options to explore while transitioning to the pharmaceutical industry with a nursing background:
- Drug researcher and developer
- Sales representative
- Marketing and managerial roles
- Pharmacy tech
- Technical writer
Dig deep into the responsibilities, necessary qualifications, skill requirements, income, and growth potential of each role to decide on the ideal one.
Get a Head Start With Nursing Education
Nursing professionals can become efficient pharmacists with their background in healthcare. Many nurses step into the field with a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. Accelerated BSN online programs are popular because these courses get learners on a fast track. A graduate in any field can enroll in the program and wrap it up within 14 months.
Holy Family University notes that the accelerated coursework and clinical experiences set up professionals for success. After working in the field, you are in a good place to move into the pharma industry. Since nurses work in clinical settings, they have a fair idea of various medicines and prescriptions.
Gain Hands-On Experience in Pharmacy
A nursing degree gives you a robust foundation to build a career in the pharmaceutical industry. But theoretical knowledge is only the tip of the iceberg.
Most states have regulatory guidelines for pharma professionals, requiring them to gain hands-on experience through residency and internships. You may also need a license if you choose to work in the manufacturing or dispensary settings.
Consider upgrading your education with an additional degree in pharmacy. Many programs include a one-year residency to give students first-hand experience by observing pharmacists at work. Enrolling in such degrees makes you more confident at work, even without a proper background in the pharma industry.
Develop Soft Skills
Besides pursuing education and technical understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, you must also develop soft skills to prepare for the move. Regardless of the role you pick, you must have the right soft skills to navigate the industry.
Once again, your nursing background can give you a head start with soft skills. For example, you leverage your communication skills, analytical capabilities, and decision-making potential to become a successful pharma professional. Additionally, imbibe skills such as leadership and calculated risk-taking as you go.
Find a Mentor
A career swap is always challenging, even if the transition is between related fields such as nursing and the pharmaceutical industry. Having a mentor eases the move and ensures the right guidance to stay ahead of the hindrances.
The best mentor is someone who has traversed the same road because they know the challenges and opportunities from first-hand experience. Check your network to find the right person to show you the way. You may find someone easily because many people opt for pharma careers after pursuing nursing.
Consider joining a professional community in your area or on social networks like LinkedIn. Finding a mentor may seem like a lot of work, but the effort is worthwhile.
The Bottom Line
The American pharmaceuticals sector has impressive job prospects, with the number of active job postings increasing by 4.5% month on month. The number reached a staggering 66,165 in June 2023.
There couldn’t be a better time for a career swap from nursing to the pharma industry. The change need not be challenging because these simple tips can help you move seamlessly.
