Change of heart?

[Mishty4u]

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If you could give any advice to future optometry students...What would it be? If you could change your career choices would you? And what would you do instead?
I'm confused and trying to figure things out for myself. I would like to end up being a Doctor no matter what, I'm open to suggestions. Some people are telling me to get my np since I am finishing nursing school. IM SO CONFUSED!

 

[file014]

I still like optometry. However even after just 1.5 years out of school certain things bug me already. Im not sure if I noticed these because of reading them here or on ODwire, or I would have figured it out anyway from experience, both private and commercial. I think I would have considered pharmacy or airline pilot as other career options In retrospect.

 

[eyestrain]

I still like optometry. However even after just 1.5 years out of school certain things bug me already. Im not sure if I noticed these because of reading them here or on ODwire, or I would have figured it out anyway from experience, both private and commercial. I think I would have considered pharmacy or airline pilot as other career options In retrospect.

Why pharmacy? Just curious.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

I think the real question is why airline pilot?

I wanted to become an airline pilot as well then did some pretty intense research! I still love to fly for fun though.

If optometrists truly think they've got it bad they should take a close look into the airline industry! Unless you used to fly fighter jets for the air force then you'll have to invest 50-100 grand for the 11 certifications it takes to fly commercially. Then, you get to start out making $25K a year flying for a regional airline and spend 4-5 days a week sleeping away from your home and family. I guess you really gotta love to fly.

If you want to fly the heavy jets and make the big bucks then you'll have to get in line behind all the pilots that got layed off after 9/11 and still don't have their jobs back.

Optometry rocks.

 

[hello07]

Optometry is a great profession. A wonderful profession and you truly help people with their most precious sense indeed. It's an easy profession once you are out working in whatever mode of practice. It's what you make of it and how you practice it. It's all up to you. Someone in another thread, said it is easy money considering what we do. The hardest part about Optometry is getting thru the program.
If I had to do it over, I would have taken the MCAT's, apply to med school, and become an MD. Whether I became an ophthalmologist, who knows?
After all these years, there isn't much stimulation. I would have aimed higher in life, if I could do Medicine and Surgery. That is a much more challenge than the everyday routine of generally speaking of being an optometrist.
Shadow an optometrist and make sure this is what you want to do for the rest of your life. If not, aim higher in life and become more than an optometrist.

 

[coppertopdoc]

I would have to say that after 10 years of practice I agree with hello07. There isn't a lot of stimulation or intellectual challenge.

I have worked in private practice, ophthalmology practice, laser center, and now Indian Health Service. In my current setting I see a larger percentage of pathology than in any other setting and that is the ONLY saving grace to keep me from pulling out what hair I have left.

I agree that you should really spend some time finding out what optometric practice entails. I shadowed a few docs before returning to school, but I don't think it truly reflects practice as it is today. Much of that is because it is difficult to get an accurate picture of all that it entails.

I enjoy the path, but once you diagnose it, you have to refer it out for treatment if you can't do it.

There is also the tiresome turf battles that we are currently fighting. I am also tired of any other health care provider telling the patients that they have to see an ophthalmologist not an OD. I was told by another doc on SDN that a rheumatologist once told him that it was too much of a crap shoot to send her patients to OD's and at least when she sent them to OMD's that she knew the knowledge level was there to appropriately address the patient's problem. You'll get that a lot.

If I could do it over I would pursue the path mentioned by hello07. I am not sure what your desires are and your situation but if you love medicine go to medical school and it will open up many different opportunities.

Good luck to you!

 

[Tippytoe]

I second everything hello07 and coopertopdoc said.

For stimulation and a guaranteed hot job, consider becoming a physician assisant (PA-C) or NP. They are taking over all the primary care jobs. You'll still have detractors but you won't be hustling for patients all the time.

 

[hello07]

WOW! Thank you Coppertopdoc and Tippytoe. Someone finally agrees with something I say. My God, thank you both!

 

[stevemc1]

Heck I agree too!😀

Seriously, extreme intelligence is wasted in Optometry. Aim higher. I would have changed careers already but A) My wife refuses to go along with an expensive, drawn out medical or dental program. A four year Optometry program was enough for her B) The money is pretty good. C) I get half price Fritos in the WalMart next door. Hey atleast no one dies.🙄

I got accepted into Optometry school without even having to interview. That should have been the first hint that it was a poor career choice. My pre-med friends in undergrad were all very competitive academically and still struggled to even be granted interviews in some of the better medical and dental programs. Medicine and dentistry are better, IMO.