Many young optometrists wonder about working in a regional practice, so Nancy Liao, an optometrist with OPSM Whangarei, agreed to share her story and provide some insight.
Throughout my BOptom university degree placements, I had the opportunity to work in several regions, including Wellington, Hastings and Palmerston North. It was during these placements that I discovered my passion for working in regional areas. The experience of serving communities where eyecare is often in short supply has been invaluable and I have come to truly appreciate the impact we can have on individuals’ health and lives in these areas.
My full-time working journey began in Masterton, the small town I moved to as a new graduate, together with a good friend from university. The transition was both daunting and rewarding. OPSM Masterton was one of only three local optometry practices and, at that time, the town had just one visiting ophthalmologist. The patient demographic was predominantly geriatric which, as a new graduate, was both overwhelming and eye-opening. However, I was fortunate to have a supportive team and it didn’t take long before I adapted to my new environment and began to enjoy its challenges, of which there were many. From removing foreign bodies to managing recurring uveitis, I faced a wide array of different cases, including retinal detachments, acute angle-closure glaucoma and arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (AAION). The frequent emergency cases kept me on my toes and enabled me to rapidly develop my clinical skills. This was a community where patient education also really mattered. I vividly remember one patient who had chronic anterior uveitis due to neglecting symptoms. However, after treating him, when he had a recurrence, he knew to seek prompt help so we could deal with it quickly.
The most rewarding aspect of working in a smaller town, however, was the ability to build strong, trusting relationships with my patients. It was heartwarming to see familiar faces return, many of whom referred family members and friends for eye tests too.
In my second year after graduating, I decided to challenge myself further by joining the Luxottica National Relief Team, enabling me to continue to be a full-time paid optometrist while travelling around the country. The experience allowed me to travel to different regions in New Zealand with limited optometry coverage, where I faced different patient demographics. This role is unique because it offers a fresh experience in each area, working with different teams in different environments. It’s rewarding to take on new challenges which allow you to adapt to new settings, to help more patients and continue to grow professionally. Plus there’s the not-insignificant bonus of being able to explore new restaurants and scenery after work and on weekends.
