[Tina19]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum. I am hoping to do Nursing then specialise in Ophthalmology. I am really interested in the eye. I was wondering are there any other ways to get into Ophthalmology without doing a Nursing degree? Also, I am from Northern Ireland and I know the RVH has a great reputation for their Ophthalmology dept. So, if any of the Nurses working in this area could give me some insight into what you to on a day-to-day basis. Also, I have a prosthetic left eye and 6/24 vision in my right so would I be able to specialise in Ophthalmology?

Many thanks,
Tina

[Silverdragon102]

Hi and welcome to the site

Think it depends on what you want to do but would say generally outpatients use both RN's and HCA/Aux workers or clerical

[scattycarrot]

With regards to what optha nurses do on a day to day basis, this thread ran a while ago:
http://allnurses.com/forums/f124/out...ng-246548.html

As SD said, optha clinics usually have HCA's and theres always optician work?

[karenG]

I worked in eyes for 7 years and did my ophthalmic nursing diploma at Moorfields Eye Hospital. I really enjoyed working in eyes but it does take a special kind of nurse!! for some reason, eyes make a lot of people feel squeamish!

as far as I am aware, you have to do your general training first- gives you a good grounding and remember most people dont just have an eye problem! no idea how long it takes now to get an eye qualification- the OND took a year and was pretty intense. I can remember trying to learn the 12 layers of the retina!

good luck

Karen

[paris2]

Originally Posted by Tina19

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum. I am hoping to do Nursing then specialise in Ophthalmology. I am really interested in the eye. I was wondering are there any other ways to get into Ophthalmology without doing a Nursing degree? Also, I am from Northern Ireland and I know the RVH has a great reputation for their Ophthalmology dept. So, if any of the Nurses working in this area could give me some insight into what you to on a day-to-day basis. Also, I have a prosthetic left eye and 6/24 vision in my right so would I be able to specialise in Ophthalmology?

Many thanks,
Tina

Hi

At one time you could be a cadet doing ophthalmic nursing first and then do Register Nurse Training but that was stopped years ago. Now you have to do registered nurse training first and then go and do ENB-346 ophthalmology course. Although to work in ophthalmic OPD you do not necessary need ENB-346. However you need to bear in mind that if do apply Sister's post in ophthalmic, ENB-346 is essential.

Regarding 6/24 VA, would not prevent to from working in OPD setting this would prevent doing things like slit lamp work, SAC Washout etc which requires sharpe VA's. But in some hospital as a staff nurse you may not require to do this.

Hope this helps!