thinking about optometry

[phalynx24]

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Hello,
I am a 36 year old student who is currently in a nursing program and wanted to know if i received my BSN in nursing, would that qualify my prerequs to apply for optometry school? i have many questions though. What type of degree do i need to apply for optometry school if nursing does not qualify? is it worth all of the schooling at the age i am? and do most optometrist go into practice for themselves?

 

[alleigh79]

Most nursing programs do not require the upper level courses that OD school requires. How far into the nursing program are you? I am a biology major but as long as you satisfy the prerequisites most schools just want you to have a 4 yr degree (from what I understand). What made you choose optometry over nursing? Have you ever shadowed an optometrist?

Go to www.opted.org for more information: prerequisites and statistics for each school are on this site.

 

[Oogilily]

It depends on optometrists going into practice for themselves. Many work for themselves and many will stay at commercial settings (i.e. walmart, lens crafter, etc.). It's up to you and your goals. Just make sure you set your goals before you are ready to go through school.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Hello,
I am a 36 year old student who is currently in a nursing program and wanted to know if i received my BSN in nursing, would that qualify my prerequs to apply for optometry school?

Having your BSN in nursing will not automatically qualify your prereqs to be used for optometry school. I majored in nursing for two years before switching to biology, and found that a good number of the prereqs were the same. (Example - A&P, Micro, Org Chem, etc.) Also, while some of the classes you take may not count as prereqs, they will definitely be helpful. (Lifespan Human Development, Health and Wellness Communication are two of the classes I can think of that while I didn't need, I found the info to be very applicable to optometry school). Check the opted.org link provided by another poster, and get in touch with a few of the schools to see which, if any, prereqs you would still need.

i have many questions though. What type of degree do i need to apply for optometry school if nursing does not qualify?

Any degree works. In our class alone we have everything from Soil Science to Biology to Pharmacology.

is it worth all of the schooling at the age i am?

We have several people in our class that qualify as "non traditional" students who are coming into school after leaving an already established career. I can think of three people off the top of my head who are over the age of 40. 36 is still plenty of time!

and do most optometrist go into practice for themselves?

There are many different modes of practice for optometry. While the overwhelming majority of students hope to enter private practice, the reality is that most don't, at least right out of school. Another popular mode of practice is commericial (Walmart, Sam's Club, Costco, America's Best, EyeMaster's, Lenscrafters, etc.) Do a search on this site and you'll get more opinions on the pros and cons of commerical optometry than you ever wanted. Working at a VA or in academics is also a possibility.

 

[100]

Hello,
I am a 36 year old student who is currently in a nursing program and wanted to know if i received my BSN in nursing, would that qualify my prerequs to apply for optometry school? i have many questions though. What type of degree do i need to apply for optometry school if nursing does not qualify? is it worth all of the schooling at the age i am? and do most optometrist go into practice for themselves?

36 + 2 (pre-reqs) + 4 (opt school) = 42 years old
60 - 42 = 18 years
18 years * $88k = $1,584,000 - debt

36 + 1 (nursing school) = 37 years old
60 - 37 = 23 years
$1,584,000 / 23 years = $68,870 / year

Without considering debt, will you make 68,870 with a BSN in nursing? All thing being equal, would you enjoy 18 years as an optometrist over 23 years as a nurse?

 

[jc812]

36 + 2 (pre-reqs) + 4 (opt school) = 42 years old
60 - 42 = 18 years
18 years * $88k = $1,584,000 - debt

36 + 1 (nursing school) = 37 years old
60 - 37 = 23 years
$1,584,000 / 23 years = $68,870 / year

Without considering debt, will you make 68,870 with a BSN in nursing? All thing being equal, would you enjoy 18 years as an optometrist over 23 years as a nurse?

A bit confusing (since you didn't really explain the numbers) but I get what you're trying to say. She/he could possibly end up owning a practice, hiring some optometrists, retire.. and watch the checks roll in since she/he would still be the business owner. This is a possibility?

 

[meameame12]

Hello,
I am a 36 year old student who is currently in a nursing program and wanted to know if i received my BSN in nursing, would that qualify my prerequs to apply for optometry school? i have many questions though. What type of degree do i need to apply for optometry school if nursing does not qualify? is it worth all of the schooling at the age i am? and do most optometrist go into practice for themselves?

a difficult question to answer. why not call the school directly and speak with an admissions counselor? or go there (or to a local o.d. school) with a transcript?

o.d. school is rough, and a lot of non-trads flunked out of ICO when i attended. we had 1 make it through out of 6. if you are going to go you've gotta immerse yourself into it.

i'd say the salary projections are about right. but i would not have looked at it that way. from what i hear, nurses are making bank, and can do a lot of overtime. why put yourself through hell in o.d. school? finish up nursing!

 

[still_confused]

. from what i hear, nurses are making bank, and can do a lot of overtime. why put yourself through hell in o.d. school? finish up nursing!

grass is over greener on the other side

 

[sniklegem]

Go for it!

Several non traditional student enroll in my school every year, and those are most of the time the best students.

And while I think it is great you are coming here to post and get feedback on your future, you should always contact the admissions offices for the schools you are considering.

Also, I agree that you may find it hard to pay off your debt, but you must consider that many optometrists work well past 60; plus, the prospect of retaining the business rights to your practice is $$$ in the bank.

If it's what you want then go for it!