APN in Ophthalmology

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Trauma ICU.

Hello, I was curious to learn some details about APNs who entered the realm of ophthalmology. Prior to becoming a nurse, I worked in retina for 10 years. The doctor I worked with trained me as if I were a resident (performing exams, scrubbing in OR, and scribing). During my time working there I had learned about APNs in some states that were performing intraocular injections and performing exams. I'm currently in ICU and had the vision of becoming a CRNA. However, before I made any final decisions I would love to hear from those who specialized in ophthalmology. 

What is your role? Downsides/upsides? Training rout you took (on job training? -aside from the degree of course)? And if you don't mind sharing your salary. I loved retina and the physician I worked with had said he would welcome me as an APN in his clinic. But I have also always had a passion for anesthesia. Welcome any thoughts, thank you!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I think this one of those specialties for NP's that are under the radar.  There isn't much we hear about NP's or PA's working in Ophthalmology though there has been a thread about it in the past:

I think that for you, this can be exciting because you can chart your own course with this Ophthalmologist interested in hiring you for the role.  What is the age group of the patients seen? That would determine what NP track you pick.  As an aside, Ophthalmology is one of those fields that don't specifically fall within the acute care vs primary care areas.

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Specializes in Trauma ICU.

It is true, you don't hear a whole lot about NPs within the ophthalmology realm. Thank you for the link. I'll dig in there for some answers. 

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