Outpatient Nursing

[SmithLee]

Hi I am based in the Manchester area and have just obtained a post in ophthalmology outpatients, I a newly qualified and although have an interest in the area have no idea about the workI will be undertaking.

I was hoping someone would be able to tell me about outpatient nursing in general or ophthalmology if possible. Like a typical day?

I am really excited, nervous and would like to have some idea about what to expect.

Thanks

Lee

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

:welcome: and congratulations on the job

Haven't worked in outpatients but sure someone will be only who has to give you an idea on what to expect

[scattycarrot, BSN, RN]

I haven't worked in opthamology OPD either but I just wanted to tell you about a nurse I met who specialises in opthamology. I work in A&E and obviously look after lots of 'eyes'. We would get teaching sessions from this amazing NP who has worked in opthamology for about 30 years and what she didn't know about eyes wasn't worth knowing. She also taught a lot of the medics and was very well respected. I had no idea until I met her, that there are huge opportunities within opthamology to advance and become very specialised. If you like it and it interests you, of course! So, good luck and if you find your niche

there, lots of opportunities await!

[scattycarrot, BSN, RN]

Oh, I forgot to say that as far as I know considering the patients we send from A&E to the OPD and the work that we do, that you will be doing lots of visual acuity tests, eye washes, eye drops and ointments, eye dressings (and teaching of how do these at home..either he patient or carer), eye exams..including assessment of orbital area(for things such as orbibital swelling/tenderness,etc..) as well as lookin at the eye itself,e.g.. looking for redness, discharge, size and shape of pupil,etc.., pupillary reflexes, vital signs:especially BP and temp, caring for post-operative patients, use of slit-lamp to examine things like corneal abrasions, removal of foreign bodys (this takes alot of practice!!), recognition of eye emergencies and red flags ( signs and symptons which alert you to something very serious going on, such as sudden loss of vision), liason with allied health professionals to ensure that little ole lady with 2 eye patches is safe at home! What else...assisiting docs with eye exams, removal of dressings (seen as they can never seem to do it themselves!). Your patients will be quite varied from trauma pateints, to GP referrals, to pre and post op, lots of diabetics and hypertensive patients, referrals from opthamolgists. Basically, you will busy, learn loads and not be bored anyway!Now, I am sure that someone who actually works there can give you a more comprehensive list!!!

[SmithLee]

Thank you both.

Its seems I'm going to have a steep learning curve, I am excited but so scared, I'm sure that that is normal though- i hope.

I am going to try and do some major background reading before I start.

Lee

[RGN1]

Hi there,

I worked in ophthalmology, mainly OPD, for 8 years. You can PM me if you wish & I'll help you as much as I can. Just to add that I loved it & learned loads.

Funny enough another of my colleagues where I now work ( general Med/surg) also used to be an ophthalmic nurse.

[janelola]

Hi,

I worked in opd general for 3 years. I agree with scattycarrots' comments about eye related tasks to be learnt and done. Generally though I did find that working in opd was more about keeping the clinic moving on time, for instance one nurse would do the 'weeing and weighing' another nurse would do the eye tests and make sure all the xrays/mri's/blood results etc were in the notes, then taking notes into doctor for them to see, assisting doctor with whatever procedure then getting them another appointment for follow up then in goes the next patient. It could be a little like a conveyer belt at times, the doctors have so little time allocated to each patient.

That said, I really enjoyed my time on outpatients, I found you have a different/closer relationship with the consultants than on the wards, and it was about the whole team.

Good luck in your new post!!

Janelola