Nursing education in the United States includes the effect of vision loss on the individual and the resulting coping mechanisms, but no formal specialty education is available to prepare a nurse for opththalmic nursing. Much depends upon self-motivation and finding mentors to assist. Historically, nurses cared for ophthalmic patients in the hospital. Now, most ophthalmic patients are outpatients. And even in the operating room, a surgery nurse may care for several specialty patients, not just ophthalmic patients. So what should you do if you are a registered nurse and you want a job in ophthalmology? Here are some suggestions compiled by past and present members of the ASORN Board of Directors.
- Update your resumé. List your strengths and how your nursing experience and medical background will be beneficial to an ophthalmic practice. Consider that nursing attracts caring people who have been taught to organize, prioritize, interview, assess, teach, problem-solve, attend to details and processes, look for resources, comfort, and keep the patient at the center of their work. You may have skills that are transferable from other nursing jobs to ophthalmology: phlebotomy, intravenous therapy, emergent care, diabetic care, sedation, surgical skills, technology and computer skills, and more. Then look at your attitude toward work, your absence record, and your willingness to learn and grow. That can be an impressive start for any employer!
- Contact ophthalmic practices, both general and subspecialty practices. Ask to speak to the office manager or clinical nurse. Request a brief outline of the nurses job description. For additional information read the article "How Ophthalmic Nurses Can Make Your Practice More Efficient".(1)
- Begin self-study. ASORN’s Core Curriculum is a good place to start. It contains pertinent information in an easy-to-locate format on a wide range of ophthalmic diseases. Continuing education questions at the end of each chapter are new in the 2002 edition. Our procedure manuals are a wealth of how-to information written not only with the steps, but with the rationale as well. Click on Publications for ordering information. Click on Opportunities and explore some of the professional links to additional on-line ophthalmic information. Go to your interview with some basic ophthalmic knowledge. Show you are interested in the field.
- Attend an ophthalmic continuing educational program in your area or attend the ASORN annual meeting. Click on Educational Programs or contact local ophthalmic practices in your area for opportunities.
- Explore the Professional Choices section of the American Academy of Ophthalmology website. Click on Professional Choices for the link.
- Apply for a position in an ambulatory surgery center and ask to be assigned to the ophthalmology procedures. Read the eye notes, talk to the patients, find out all you can about their conditions.
- Apply for a position at the inpatient unit of a hospital that admits eye trauma or corneal ulcer patients. Learn all you can about their cases. Get to know their ophthalmologists. Inquire about local opportunities. Demonstrate your interest.
- Network with other nurses or with physicians. Let them know you are interested in changing jobs and especially want to work with ophthalmic patients. Find out if you can post your resume at a local Ophthalmology Society meeting.
Consider these additional opportunities:
- Management experience? Look for the right fit to learn ophthalmology and manage a practice.
- Advanced practice nurse? Find employment in ophthalmology doing preoperative assessment. Some ophthalmic nurses have their own businesses doing postoperative evaluations.
- Like to travel? Look for corporations that sell ophthalmic products listed as ASORN’s Corporate Affiliates. There are volunteer opportunities. Explore Project Orbis , for example.
Many physicians and nurse managers say that they would rather hire the "right" people and then teach them. That means they are looking for the qualities discussed above and a good personality fit for their setting. Don’t be put off if the ad states "ophthalmic experience." Find out if that experience is desired, or required. Please refer to the article by Paul N. Arnold, MD, FACS (2), reprinted with permission, which validates the value of an RN on the ophthalmic team and gives you his way of evaluating potential employees. You will note that his method does not include ophthalmic experience.
Good luck in your efforts to become an ophthalmic nurse. Let ASORN help you in any way we can. Contact headquarters at asorn@aao.org if you have additional questions. Or let us know your success story. And of course, when you land that job, we hope you will become an active ASORN member!
References
1. Ronge LJ. "How Ophthalmic Nurses Can Make Your Practice More Efficient". EyeNet 2(2): 27, 1998.
2. Arnold PN. "How to put experience to work for you". Review of Ophthalmology 5(10):25, 1998. (available at http://www.revophth.com/1998/rpj8b1.html)
Written by Jean Hill, RN, MSN, CRNO
ASORN President
With input from current and former ASORN
Board Members