A Gateway to Pharma: How to Leverage Nursing Skills for a Successful Transition to a Career in the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industry

6 Critical Steps

Eva Gallagher, PhD, RN, ANP-BC 

Transitioning from a nursing role to the pharmaceutical and medical device industry can be a fulfilling career move that leverages a nurse’s clinical expertise while allowing you to contribute to healthcare and improve patients’ lives in new ways. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making this transition:

1. Understand Your Transferable Skills

Many roles within the pharmaceutical and medical device industry require deep clinical knowledge. Having an understanding of optimal patient care, disease management, and research protocols is a huge advantage as a nurse. In addition to foundational clinical expertise, another key transferable skill is the ability to communicate clearly. Having a strong ability to explain medical information to diverse audiences, including patients, patient advocates, payers, and healthcare providers, is critical in any pharmaceutical role. 

Nurses are exceptional problem solvers, equipped with quick decision-making abilities and a remarkable capacity to adapt in fast-paced clinical environments. Additionally, nurses have regulatory awareness,  compliance awareness, and a familiarity specifically with healthcare regulations, which is valuable in roles like regulatory affairs and clinical operations. 

Lastly, nurses’ interpersonal skills, including the ability to build rapport with patients and healthcare providers, translate well to stakeholder and client management.

2. Identify Roles That Align with Your Skills

Nurses are invaluable contributors to the pharmaceutical and medical device industry across many different departments and functions. Consequently, there are many different roles for which they are set up for success! Unfortunately, unless you are familiar with these industries, the exact jobs may be hard to find as they rarely include the word “nurse” in the title or job description.  Familiarizing yourself with the various roles can help you narrow down the options and hone in on the best fit.  Examples of some of these roles include:

In Clinical Operations, skills around project oversight and management and clinical trials expertise are needed, therefore, the role of a Clinical Research Associate (CRA) is perfect for nurses.  In this role, CRAs are responsible for monitoring clinical trials and ensuring compliance with protocols.

The Medical Affairs team works to provide education (disease state and MOA) for healthcare practitioners (HCPs) (physicians, nurses, and pharmacists) as well as clinical trial support. The role of the Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is perfect for nurses as they serve as a bridge between the company and healthcare professionals, providing scientific information. Other roles within Medical Affairs that match in nursing skills include medical information, medical writing, publications, and scientific communication.

In sales and marketing, business acumen skills are critical as these commercial teams work to provide education to HCPs, payers, and patients. The role of a Sales Representative is a great option for nurses, where you can use your clinical background to sell medical devices or pharmaceuticals. Additionally, trainers in both medical affairs and sales are a great fit for nurses. In this role, training and development teams ensure that members of their team have a deep understanding of the products, disease state, and disease landscape in which they work.

Patient Advocacy is another department that is a natural fit for nurses.  Professionals in patient advocacy work with advocacy agencies and directly with patients as allies in support of educational initiatives. In their role, patient advocate professionals identify gaps that exist in currently available information and help by partnering with advocacy groups to fill these gaps. 

Clinical Development is another area that is attractive for nurses. Clinical expertise is a match for roles such as Clinical Scientist or Medical Director. In these roles, clinical expertise and clinical trial management and oversight are critical.

Another department that nurses work in is Regulatory Affairs. In Regulatory Affairs, a Regulatory Affairs Specialist helps ensure products comply with regulations throughout their lifecycle, from development to post-market. Key responsibilities include preparing and submitting regulatory documents (e.g., INDs, NDAs, CTAs), acting as a liaison with regulatory agencies like the FDA or EMA, ensuring compliance with laws and guidelines (e.g., GCP, GMP, ICH), managing post-market surveillance and product updates and reviewing labels and marketing materials for regulatory approval. They collaborate with research and development, clinical, and manufacturing teams, helping mitigate risks and ensure timely product approvals. Strong attention to detail, regulatory knowledge, and communication skills are critical for success in this role.

And lastly, the Safety Department, or Pharmacovigilance, is another key area for nurses. A Pharmacovigilance Officer ensures the safety of medicines by monitoring, assessing, and reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Key duties include collecting and analyzing ADR data from patients, healthcare providers, and clinical trials; preparing safety reports for regulatory agencies like the FDA and EMA; conducting risk assessments and detecting safety signals; ensuring compliance with global pharmacovigilance regulations; and managing safety databases and supporting audits or inspections. Their work is crucial for protecting patient safety, managing risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

3. Enhance Your Qualifications

Another helpful step is enhancing your qualifications so you are optimally marketable and set up for success when you apply for a new role.  Certifications are one way to do this, and they vary depending on the role you desire. Consider certifications in medical affairs like the Certified Nurse Medical Affairs Professional (CNMAP) or BCMAS from the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA), Clinical Research Certification (e.g., from ACRP or SOCRA), and Certified Regulatory Affairs Professional (RAPS). Pursuing additional education is another consideration. If needed, pursue advanced degrees (e.g., in healthcare management, regulatory affairs, or public health). Lastly, skills training such as learning specific tools and methodologies used in the industry, such as clinical trial software or regulatory submission systems, might be helpful, or skills around leadership, crucial conversations, and emotional intelligence can be ways to stand out from the competition.

4. Build Your Industry Knowledge

Increasing your industry knowledge is crucial when looking for a job because it helps you stand out as a well-informed, capable candidate. Industries evolve quickly; demonstrating awareness of current trends, challenges, and innovations signals that you’re ready to contribute immediately. It will also help you find an opportunity that best matches your interests and values. Employers value candidates who show genuine interest and understanding of their field, as it reflects dedication and enthusiasm. Additionally, knowing industry-specific terms and trends allows you to communicate effectively during interviews as well as during networking, showcasing your expertise. Another benefit of having industry knowledge is that you can align your resume or curriculum vitae, cover letter, and interview responses to reflect what employers are looking for. Specifically, reviewing the job description of the position you are interviewing for can be helpful for the interview, as well as incorporating some of the keywords and phrases into your resume or curriculum vitae. Be sure to include those transferable skills discussed earlier in your resume! 

Networking is critical to finding the right job. Understanding the pharmaceutical or medical device industry helps you connect with the right professionals and ask insightful questions to build meaningful relationships. Another benefit is that it boosts confidence. Familiarity with the industry reduces uncertainty, making you more confident in interviews and discussions. Lastly, it helps you identify growth opportunities. Researching the industry helps you spot in-demand skills or emerging roles, allowing you to position yourself effectively. One way to gain this information is through conferences and webinars and by attending industry events to connect with professionals to gain insights.

5. Tailor Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile

Tailoring your resume and LinkedIn profile is important because it helps you stand out to recruiters and hiring managers by aligning your skills and experience with the specific role within a company. Be sure to highlight your clinical expertise as it applies to the role you're pursuing. Use industry-relevant keywords such as "clinical trials," "regulatory compliance," and "stakeholder engagement." Prioritize relevant experience by placing the most relevant roles, achievements, or skills at the top of your resume and in your profile summary. Emphasize your achievements, such as improving patient outcomes or streamlining workflows. A tailored resume ensures your accomplishments resonate with the specific needs of the job, making your application more impactful. And lastly, focus on results by using metrics and examples that align with the role’s expectations. 

Regarding LinkedIn, align your LinkedIn headline by using a headline that reflects the role you’re targeting, like "Regulatory Affairs Specialist | Expertise in Compliance & Submissions”, etc.

6. Leverage Nursing Experience in Interviews

Leveraging your nursing experience in interviews for pharmaceutical and medical device roles involves showcasing how your clinical expertise and transferable skills align with the demands of the job. One helpful strategy is to showcase problem-solving skills by sharing examples of critical thinking in high-pressure clinical scenarios, such as resolving medication errors or managing complex patient cases. Discuss your hands-on experience with patient care, disease management, and medication administration. This provides insight into your understanding of drug effects and safety, which is highly relevant in roles like pharmacovigilance, regulatory affairs, or clinical research. Highlight your ability to explain medical concepts to patients, families, and colleagues, as this translates well to educating clients, training staff, or liaising with healthcare professionals in pharmaceutical and medical device roles. Draw parallels between working in multidisciplinary healthcare teams and collaborating with cross-functional teams in pharma (e.g., R&D, marketing, or regulatory teams). Lastly, discuss how your direct interaction with patients gives you unique insight into their needs and concerns, which can guide product development, marketing, or training efforts. Explain how your nursing experience has prepared you for the pharmaceutical role and why you’re passionate about contributing to healthcare from a different perspective.

Finding that first role in the pharmaceutical or medical device industry can be challenging and may take trial and error.  Consider being open to temporary or contract positions to get your foot in the door. Developing short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals can also be helpful. As a short-term goal, I will focus on gaining experience and building a professional network. A medium-term goal could be seeking advanced roles such as project management or leadership positions. A long-term goal might be positioning yourself as an expert in a niche area like regulatory strategy, product development, or market access. Be patient with yourself and stay persistent.  You never know when that perfect opportunity is just around the corner.  

Conclusion

Transitioning from nursing to the pharmaceutical and medical device industry is a journey that combines clinical expertise with strategic impact. Nurses bring unique skills such as patient advocacy, clinical insight, and communication that are highly valued in Medical Affairs roles. To stand out in this competitive landscape, certifications like the Board Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) and the Certified Nurse Medical Affairs Professional (CNMAP) provide nurses with the specialized knowledge and credibility to excel in these roles.

By equipping professionals with a deep understanding of compliance, scientific exchange, and strategic engagement, these certifications serve as a gateway to the pharmaceutical industry. They empower nurses to bridge the gap between clinical practice and industry innovation, driving impactful contributions to patient care on a larger scale.

References

ACMA. Nurses in Medical Affairs? Explore the Opportunities within the Life Sciences Industry. https://medicalaffairsspecialist.org/blog/nurse-transition-opportunities-healthcare-careers

RN2Pharma. RN2Pharma Career Guide. https://www.rn2pharma.com/product-page/rn2pharma-career-guide

Remote Nurse Connection. A Day in the Life of a Pharmaceutical Nurse Educator.

https://remotenurseconnection.com/pharmaceutical-nurse-educator/