Are you a nurse looking for a career outside of direct patient care? Medical device nursing offers a unique opportunity to leverage your clinical skills in a less stressful, more flexible work environment. As a growing field, it’s becoming an attractive alternative for nurses seeking new challenges and improved work-life balance. Here’s a closer look at what medical device nursing is, why it might be a great fit for you, and how to land one of these sought-after positions.

What is a Medical Device Nurse?

Medical device nurses play a crucial role in training healthcare professionals on the proper use of medical equipment. After a sale is made, or when a hospital tests out a product, nurses are often sent to train staff, ensure competency, and provide ongoing support. These products range from IV pumps to advanced diagnostic tools—anything that requires specific knowledge to operate safely and effectively. As a matter of fact, you’ve probably met nurses when getting trained on new equipment, and may have confused them for sales reps.

In this role, you’ll visit healthcare facilities to train teams, troubleshoot issues, or conduct re-education sessions. While the work is primarily educational, there is often a sales component, but the primary focus remains clinical. For example, if you go to a site to train staff for a trial, part of your role is to convince them how your company’s product is superior to your competitors. You would not be expected to “close the deal.”

Why Consider Medical Device Nursing?

When I made the switch to medical device nursing, the change in my quality of life was nothing short of dramatic. I’ve since promised myself I’ll never go back to patient care. The transition felt like a breath of fresh air after years in a high-stress hospital environment. My friends regularly commented how much more relaxed I looked, even years after leaving patient care.

Industry companies often take care of you in a way that is outside of your experience in a hospital setting. I was once prevented from getting home due to a hurricane- my company made sure that I had a safe place to go since home was not an option. Another time I got sick while out of state for training; my manager helped me arrange travel home early, and even offered to meet me and drive me home (a ten hour drive!) to make sure I was safe.

Industry also spoils you! During my first week at this new role, the company’s annual meeting included laser tag and a distillery tour—I had to double-check with my new boss to make sure I read that itinerary right!

The welcoming atmosphere and lack of the infamous “eat your young” mentality was a refreshing change, even among the nurses on my team. I felt genuinely valued.

Perks of Medical Device Nursing

This role comes with numerous benefits:

• Higher Pay: My salary was about 10% higher than what I earned in patient care. Pay may vary by location but is often competitive.
• Less Stress: The job was far less stressful than any patient care position I’d held before.
• Travel Benefits: While the travel is extensive, most companies allow you to keep airline miles and hotel points. This means you could score a nearly free vacation later on. As a matter of fact, I recently

  

  took a trip to Iceland; I flew first class on airline miles, and my hotel was covered with the Hilton points I’d earned through work trips.
• Comprehensive Support: Many companies provide a car allowance or company car, expense mileage, and cover all travel costs. I didn’t have to pay for flights, meals, or lodging—everything was handled through a company credit card.
• Flexibility: In cases of unexpected events like a hurricane or illness, my company ensured I was taken care of, whether that meant booking me a weekend stay elsewhere or arranging safe transportation home.
• Patient Care: There is none. You will rarely, if ever, have to interact with patients.

Challenges of Medical Device Nursing

While the perks are impressive, the role does come with its own set of challenges:

• Extensive Travel: Every Monday, I was up between 3 and 4 a.m. to catch a flight, often not getting home until after midnight on Thursday. I know other nurses who don’t home until Friday night. Some days involved working long hours after traveling, or weekends or night shifts to accommodate facilities with weekend or night staff.
• Irregular Hours: The job requires flexibility with your schedule. Even outside of training night and weekend shifts, I would get calls and emails outside of business hours, since our team and clients were in different time zones.
• Public Speaking: You will be required to get up and speak in front of large groups of people. In my role in medical device education, I would occasionally educate people one-on-one, but more likely I would be in front of a group, including classroom training.

How to Find Medical Device Nursing Jobs

These roles are competitive, but with the right strategy, you can find your perfect fit. Here are a few tips to help you in your search:

• Use Alternative Job Titles: When searching, try terms like “clinical educator,” “field educator,” “clinical specialist,” or “nurse educator.” Different companies use different titles for these roles.
• Check Company Job Boards: Go directly to the job boards of companies like Medtronic, Bard, and BD. I used to look up brands of the different equipment in my work space that I used regularly. Search company websites’ career page using terms like “nurse,” “educator,” and “clinical” to uncover various roles.
• Expand Your Search: Don’t hesitate to apply for jobs in other territories. I landed my first medical device educator role for a job posted out of San Diego while living on the East Coast; my manager overlooked it because I had every other requirement they were looking for, and the job required nationwide travel anyway. Many companies are flexible if you have the right skills and experience. I even know someone who has a smaller territory, but does not live in that territory; she has to fly to her territory every week. However, be sure to read the job description carefully- some job postings might specify that you must live in that territory.
• Make yourself stand out: If you aren’t getting any traction in your applications, see if you can find out what’s missing on your resume. I find that I am often passed over because I don’t have a masters degree. I also have no intention of going back to school, but maybe you do; now might be the time to start. You don’t have to go for a nurse practitioner degree; even a Masters in Business will help you shine on your resume. I was passed over a couple of times because, even though I had the experience, I didn’t have the certification. If you qualify, get certified in your specialty; my oncology certification has definitely opened some doors for me. If you have any teaching or leadership experience, make sure you add these. Medical device companies are looking for people who are great at educating people, and can lead a team in the field.

Networking: Your Key to Success

Networking is essential in this field. I built connections with every pharmaceutical and medical device rep who came into my unit. I asked them whether their companies hired nurses and if I could send them my resume, which they were usually happy to pass on. Many companies offer a “finder’s fee” to employees who refer successful candidates, so reps are often happy to help.

In fact, I landed my first role because a rep who knew I was job searching recommended a company I hadn’t even heard of. Without that connection, I may have never found my first non-clinical job. (Thank you again, Jenn!)

Use social media. You probably are already connected to someone who works in the medical device industry. Don’t be shy! Reach out to people for help, even if its just as an introduction to someone else. I’ve supported and encouraged people looking for a medical device role. They were introduced to me as a friend of a friend, or they personally reached out to me through Reddit or Facebook. You’ll find that people who have left clinical nursing to work in the medical device world love to talk about how much they love their job and how much happier they are.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to transition out of patient care but still want to use your clinical knowledge, medical device nursing could be the perfect fit for you. With higher pay, less stress, and the chance to build your skills in a growing industry, it’s a role that can open doors to future opportunities in medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

Take the first step today—start networking, polish your resume, and explore the exciting opportunities waiting in the world of medical device nursing.

Be sure to check out my Job Spotlights page to see what other types of jobs are out there!