A Optometrist (O.D.), still considered a ‘doctor’, which are the main primary vision care professional that most people will go to. Optometrists do everything from diagnosing vision problems and eye diseases, prescribing eyeglasses and contacts, prescribing drugs for the treatment of certain eye diseases, providing treatment before and after surgery, and helping patients maintain healthy eyes. They normally have a Bachelors Degree and another 4 years from an accredited School of Optometry.

Then there is a Ophthalmologist. This is the “Eye Doctor” for you have to be a M.D. (Medical Doctor) or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) and then specialize in this particular field. This normally takes 4 years undergraduate, 4 years graduate school or “Medical School” then at least 3-4 years in that particular specialty (Which is called their ‘residency’. As a medical doctor, an Ophthalmologist is licensed to practice medicine, perform surgery, and perform all tasks Optometrists do including diagnosing and treating eye diseases, giving eye exams, and writing eyeglasses or contact prescriptions. To my knowledge, Optometrists can not perform surgery or treat a lot of the disease processes the eye has, therefore they usually refer them to Ophthalmologists.

To become an orthodontist you first need to complete college, then go to three to four year graduate program at a dental school in a university or an institution that is accredited by American Dental Association (ADA). Then there is a two to three years of advanced specialty education in an ADA accredited orthodontic residency program. To be an orthodontist you should know advanced knowledge about biomedical, behavioral and basic sciences. An orthodontist knows both tooth movement management and guide facial development.

Your mother was right about nurses, however, lets just say from personal experience its worth it being a nurse. I’m a nurse, have been for about 2 years now and its a very fast paced career choice and the salaries and benefits are great. Plus you don’t have near as much responsibilities as the doctors do which is also great. Nursing, depending on the title you wish to have, can take you from 1 to 8 years to obtained. You can be a LPN (takes roughly 12 months), a RN, ADN which is an As so. degree in nursing, a RN, BSN which is a Bachelors Degree in Nursing or continue up the ladder to become a Nurse Practitioner or even a Nurse Anesthetist, which go into surgery with the doctors and are the ones who put patent’s to ‘sleep’. Or you can get your masters in nursing management and be a nursing home director or even a hospital director! Or if you like the clinical parts of nursing you can specialize to your particular field you are interesting in. For example, I love the ER.. therefore I’m specializing in emergency care and trying to pass the TNCC (Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum) and become TRNC (Trauma Registered Nurse Certified).

There are lots of things that are great about the health field, explore what you want to be and go for it. Don’t let someone talk you out of it just because they work long hours. Doctors have to take call 24/7 for there patients. Do you really want to be called at 3:00 in the morning just because a blood pressure is a little to high?! Something to think about! 🙂

I hope this helps!

Although I am a Nurse I am preparing for medical school.

and just to let you know I make 7,000dollars a month as a nurse and I work 2-3 days out of the week.

The Allied Physicians Salary survey reveals a difference in salary by years of experience for Ophthalmologists as follows:

* 1-2 Years – $ 138,000

* 3 or More – $314,000

* Maximum – $511,000

However, for ophthalmologists who specialty is retinal diseases, the salary range is considerably higher.

* 1-2 Years – $280,000

* 3 or More – $469,000

* Maximum – $716,000

You have plenty of time to make a decision. Enjoy yourself and do everything in moderation: have a social life, study, volunteer……..You’re going to work the rest of your life so enjoy yourself while in college.