Nurses usually are advocates for items and products that improve the comfort or health of their patients. Some nurses are
salespeople who sell wellness products, health foods, and nutritional supplements. Sales is a perfect fit for the nurse who
is interested in the health of her patient from a holistic viewpoint. Nurses can supplement their income with sales of these
products, and some have turned sales into their primary income stream.
SALES OPPORTUNITIES
Getting started is quick and easy. Just sign up to be a distributor for the company selling a product that interests you.
Contact the company on the Internet or in person. The company will send you a startup sales kit and teach you how to sell
their products.
Dealers are individuals who purchase the right to sell products distributed by another company, such as vitamins or holistic
medicines. They often advertise themselves as authorized dealers. Distributors usually sell to dealers, who then sell directly
to customers. Licensees are individuals who purchase the right to use the seller's trade name and certain methods, equipment,
or product lines. As a nurse, you could become a distributor, a dealer, or a licensee. It's your choice. Multilevel marketing is popular with nurses who are looking for a part-time, flexible business. The best-known names are Avon,
Tupperware, and Mary Kay. Typically, the individual purchases a sample kit and receives the opportunity to sell directly to
family, friends, and personal contacts. Not all states regulate multilevel marketing. At present, 25 states have laws in place,
varying in content and definition of terms.
DESIGN YOUR OWN PRODUCTS
Over the years, many nurses have designed and/or manufactured their own products. However, not all the products nurses have
developed have made it to market.
The process is as follows: First, identify a unique idea for a product, then write it down to capture the idea. Go to the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Web site ( http://www.uspto.gov/) to see if the product is already patented, or if someone has a product similar to yours. Consider whether the idea needs
the protection of a patent. Some do not. Draw the prototype. Make the product. If after testing you still consider the product
to be worth your time and effort, start making the item. Begin with 100 or so units and sell them. Continue your marketing
efforts and grow your business.
Selling your own product sounds easier than it actually is. If you have a product idea, e-mail me and I will provide you with
resources and information to help you bring your product to market. Contact me via smullett@advanstar.com
with any questions about RN self-employment or RN business ownership.
PATRICIA ANN BEMIS, RN, CEN, is president of the National Nurses in Business Association, Inc. ( http://www.nnba.net/) and the author of several books, including her most recent, Self-Employed RN: Choices, Business Aspects, & Marketing Strategies.
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