Breaking into medical device sales might seem tough, but it’s totally doable—even if you're coming from a completely different field. Take Drew Stanley, a Navy veteran and nurse, who managed to make the switch into medical device sales with one of the biggest companies out there. Here’s how he did it.

From Navy Life to Nursing

Drew's journey started with a five-year stint in the Navy as a combat medic. After his military service, he went back to school, became a nurse, and took on the high-pressure world of emergency rooms in a Level One Trauma Center. But as much as he loved helping patients, he realized nursing wasn’t going to give him the long-term financial stability he wanted, especially with life plans like marriage and a family on the horizon.

That’s when Drew started thinking about medical device sales. He had met plenty of reps during his time in the ER and was drawn to the idea of making a difference while also having more growth opportunities.

Making the Jump

Drew didn’t have any sales experience and found navigating the medical device industry on his own tricky. That’s when he stumbled upon the New to Medical Device Sales podcast and decided to take the plunge by joining the course.

One of the biggest challenges for Drew? Staying geographically limited—he had to stick to a smaller area because his fiancée was in grad school. But he didn’t let that slow him down. Instead, he stayed consistent with networking and reaching out to companies, eventually landing a fantastic job.

What Military and Nursing Taught Him

Drew’s time in the Navy gave him a solid foundation in hard work, discipline, and teamwork—skills that naturally translated into medical device sales. His nursing experience sharpened his communication skills and ability to handle high-pressure situations. Both roles prepared him for the fast-paced and competitive world of sales.

For anyone coming from the military or nursing fields and considering medical device sales, Drew’s advice is simple: Be consistent and don’t give up. You’ve already got the skills; you just need to show how they apply to this new career.

‍Key Takeaways:

1. Stay Consistent – Whether you’re networking or learning the industry, showing up every day is half the battle.
2. Your Background is a Strength – Military or nursing experience brings unique skills that can set you apart in the sales world.
3. Trust the Process – The journey might take time, but if you stick with it, you’ll get there.
4. Be Yourself – In interviews, authenticity is key. They’ll hire you because you’re the right fit, not just because you said all the "right" things.
5. Find the Right Company – Don’t settle. Find a company that values your experience and aligns with your goals.

Final Thoughts

Drew’s journey shows that you don’t need traditional sales experience to break into medical device sales. By staying consistent, trusting the process, and leveraging the skills he picked up in the military and nursing, he made a successful transition. If you’re considering making the leap, follow Drew’s lead—stay patient, keep at it, and you’ll get there.

Want More Details?

For more stories and tips on breaking into medical device sales, check out our talk on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube.

Ready to break into Medical Device Sales? 

If you’re serious about breaking into Medical Device Sales, our course/mentorship is designed to help you break into the industry where our average person is breaking into Medical Device Sales in just 8.5 weeks at $105,502.

Click here to learn more and kickstart your journey to success.

‍

All the best,

Jacob McLaughlin

‍