RN to optometry

nursefrances, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2013

Hello everyone!
I need a little input from my fellow nurses/students about applying for optometry school with a nursing degree. I have been an RN for almost 2 years and really love my current job. About 3 mos ago I got interested in optometry because of my mother. She had a stroke twice and now suffering from vision deficits and I really want to help her. I currently have an ADN degree, now I was debating if I should finish taking my bsn or directly take pre-optometry classes to save me from getting more student loans.
What do you guys think??
All inputs will really help. Thanks.

Hi uol19. Sorry to hear about your Mom and the strokes. Hope she is doing better.

I have background in Ophthalmology and for the last 6 months, I have worked at an eye surgery center. I worked as a back office tech for Ophthamologists (eye surgeons) prior to getting my RN.

When I think of Optometry and Optometrists, I think of one who prescribes glasses. This is a big part of what optometrists do. I think, with extra training and education, they can prescribe some eye drops now.

Is this what you are interested in? If you are leaning more towards Ophthalmology,as an Rn you can work in an eye surgery center. You would probably start out in pre-op or post- op areas. You can learn more about what RNs do in Opthalmology by searching "ASORN" ( American Society of Ophthalmic RNs) on the internet. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.

uol19 · Apr 16, 2013

Hi uol19. Sorry to hear about your Mom and the strokes. Hope she is doing better.
I have background in Ophthalmology and for the last 6 months, I have worked at an eye surgery center. I worked as a back office tech for Ophthamologists (eye surgeons) prior to getting my RN.
When I think of Optometry and Optometrists, I think of one who prescribes glasses. This is a big part of what optometrists do. I think, with extra training and education, they can prescribe some eye drops now.
Is this what you are interested in? If you are leaning more towards Ophthalmology,as an Rn you can work in an eye surgery center. You would probably start out in pre-op or post- op areas. You can learn more about what RNs do in Opthalmology by searching "ASORN" ( American Society of Ophthalmic RNs) on the internet. Hope this helps. Good luck to you.

Hi Frances!

First of all thanks for responding to my thread your info was really helpful. I am planning to completely switch careers and become an opotmetrist. I have the highest and utmost respect for nurses but i think i finally found my true calling. Thanks for sharing the asorn website too. I know optometry school is really competetive. I just need to figure what will be my next step towards achieving this goal, is it to finish my BSN or take pre-opto classes directly? Hmmmm