Nursing school to optometry

[TigerLilly21]

Hello! This is my first ever post here. I am a senior nursing student (graduating this December) and I have recently developed an interest in optometry.

Some background- I never considered myself to be “good” at math or science, so going into college I started out as an English major, but eventually decided I wanted to major in something with more stable job prospects upon graduation, and thought I could tough out the easier science prereqs required for nursing. I’m now realizing that I sold myself short! I definitely think I have what it takes to do the major level science prereqs for optometry. It may have taken me a long time, but at least nursing school helped me realize it.

Nursing just isn’t a good fit for me, but I still want to be in healthcare. The task oriented rather than analytical thinking, the wishy washy-ness of “nursing theory”, nursing “diagnoses” etc. has just put me off. Not to mention that I’ve hated every clinical experience. I love the patients, but the actual type of work we do is not something I enjoy. All we do is give meds, clean patients up, help them walk. I want to do something more with my brain.

After some research about various advanced degrees, I’m drawn to optometry. I definitely don’t want to go to APRN school, because that means more nursing education and theory. Vet school, dentistry, DO school are all things I’ve looked into, but for some reason optometry is the one I keep coming back to. Everything I’ve read about optometry seems like something I can see myself doing and enjoying.

At this point, I’m going to go ahead and graduate with my BSN. I’m too far gone to switch now. But like I mentioned before, the prereqs for nursing school were NOT major level science courses. So after graduating, I will have to take close to 2 years of prereqs for optometry school. Is there anything else I should be doing in the meantime to increase my chances of admission?

My GPA currently is a 3.4. Not the best, I know, but don’t get me started on the nursing program’s 7 point grading scale. I would have straight A’s if a 92 counted as an A, but at the end of the day those are just excuses and I know that I need to work on getting it up.

I’m going to be shadowing an optometrist in the upcoming weeks. I work as an aide and volunteer at the hospital- those are about my only other extracurriculars. Any advice about other things to do to increase my chances of getting in? Advice from anyone else who didn’t follow a traditional path? Thanks so much!

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[kilegna]

Hello! This is my first ever post here. I am a senior nursing student (graduating this December) and I have recently developed an interest in optometry.

Some background- I never considered myself to be “good” at math or science, so going into college I started out as an English major, but eventually decided I wanted to major in something with more stable job prospects upon graduation, and thought I could tough out the easier science prereqs required for nursing. I’m now realizing that I sold myself short! I definitely think I have what it takes to do the major level science prereqs for optometry. It may have taken me a long time, but at least nursing school helped me realize it.

Nursing just isn’t a good fit for me, but I still want to be in healthcare. The task oriented rather than analytical thinking, the wishy washy-ness of “nursing theory”, nursing “diagnoses” etc. has just put me off. Not to mention that I’ve hated every clinical experience. I love the patients, but the actual type of work we do is not something I enjoy. All we do is give meds, clean patients up, help them walk. I want to do something more with my brain.

After some research about various advanced degrees, I’m drawn to optometry. I definitely don’t want to go to APRN school, because that means more nursing education and theory. Vet school, dentistry, DO school are all things I’ve looked into, but for some reason optometry is the one I keep coming back to. Everything I’ve read about optometry seems like something I can see myself doing and enjoying.

At this point, I’m going to go ahead and graduate with my BSN. I’m too far gone to switch now. But like I mentioned before, the prereqs for nursing school were NOT major level science courses. So after graduating, I will have to take close to 2 years of prereqs for optometry school. Is there anything else I should be doing in the meantime to increase my chances of admission?

My GPA currently is a 3.4. Not the best, I know, but don’t get me started on the nursing program’s 7 point grading scale. I would have straight A’s if a 92 counted as an A, but at the end of the day those are just excuses and I know that I need to work on getting it up.

I’m going to be shadowing an optometrist in the upcoming weeks. I work as an aide and volunteer at the hospital- those are about my only other extracurriculars. Any advice about other things to do to increase my chances of getting in? Advice from anyone else who didn’t follow a traditional path? Thanks so much!

I would advice for you to get involved in the optometry feel as much as you can. If you are going to be doing your 2 yrs pre-req for optometry in an university that has a pre-optometry club join that, shadow not just one optometrist but at least 2-3 more so you can have an idea of the different styles each doctor has maybe a pediatric optometrist, an optometrist that works with an ophthalmologist (those practice differently since they see more disease or surgery), a private practice optometrist and even a corporate optometrist. That way you can see if this is something you really want to do and what environment you like best. There is so much to explore in optometry, its not just your regular glasses and contacts. I would also volunteer at the light house for the blind if you have one where you live or volunteer at vision walks. Hope this helps!

 

[Weirdy]

Hello! This is my first ever post here. I am a senior nursing student (graduating this December) and I have recently developed an interest in optometry.

Some background- I never considered myself to be “good” at math or science, so going into college I started out as an English major, but eventually decided I wanted to major in something with more stable job prospects upon graduation, and thought I could tough out the easier science prereqs required for nursing. I’m now realizing that I sold myself short! I definitely think I have what it takes to do the major level science prereqs for optometry. It may have taken me a long time, but at least nursing school helped me realize it.

Nursing just isn’t a good fit for me, but I still want to be in healthcare. The task oriented rather than analytical thinking, the wishy washy-ness of “nursing theory”, nursing “diagnoses” etc. has just put me off. Not to mention that I’ve hated every clinical experience. I love the patients, but the actual type of work we do is not something I enjoy. All we do is give meds, clean patients up, help them walk. I want to do something more with my brain.

After some research about various advanced degrees, I’m drawn to optometry. I definitely don’t want to go to APRN school, because that means more nursing education and theory. Vet school, dentistry, DO school are all things I’ve looked into, but for some reason optometry is the one I keep coming back to. Everything I’ve read about optometry seems like something I can see myself doing and enjoying.

At this point, I’m going to go ahead and graduate with my BSN. I’m too far gone to switch now. But like I mentioned before, the prereqs for nursing school were NOT major level science courses. So after graduating, I will have to take close to 2 years of prereqs for optometry school. Is there anything else I should be doing in the meantime to increase my chances of admission?

My GPA currently is a 3.4. Not the best, I know, but don’t get me started on the nursing program’s 7 point grading scale. I would have straight A’s if a 92 counted as an A, but at the end of the day those are just excuses and I know that I need to work on getting it up.

I’m going to be shadowing an optometrist in the upcoming weeks. I work as an aide and volunteer at the hospital- those are about my only other extracurriculars. Any advice about other things to do to increase my chances of getting in? Advice from anyone else who didn’t follow a traditional path? Thanks so much!

Rack up work hours and experience at an optometry experience.

Your GPA is fine. Keep up your pre-req GPA as high as you can get it.

Destroy the OAT.

You'll do great. Keep at it.

 

[camorida]

Hello! I’m actually and optometric technician who is about to start as a junior in a BSN Program next fall!

I’ve been doing Optometry for a little over a year now am I absolutely love it. My first job was in private practice and I am currently still in private practice but I am in a much more medical-based modality.

I decided to purse my BSN as a backup so I knew that if anything were to happen to me as an optometrist, I could still fall back on nursing.

I think it’s a great idea that you got your nursing degree first because not only do you have a fall back, you can also work yourself through doing pre-reqs and save up a good amount of money before you go to opto school (which can be extremely expensive).

I think the other posters are right when they say shadow different optos in different settings. Private practice, MD/OD, and retail just so you can get a feel for he place you’d like to be some day.

Good luck!

 

[BadgerMedCj]

While taking you're pre-requisite courses I would utilize that BSN degree for extra hourly as an ophthalmic technician at a combined ophthalmologist/ optometrist private practice. At the practice I worked at you'd be pulling in around 20$/hr as you'd come in with more than enough qualifications to do some of the more "advanced" tasks such as administering fluorescein intravenously. Though you could make more elsewhere with your BSN, it's not a bad wage while your accruing invaluable experience.

Working at such a practice affords you the ability to constantly see various diseases and over time you'll be able to pick up on a ton that will help you throughout optometry school. You will also make a ton of connections that may help you get into optometry school in the first place. Best of luck on your endeavors!