Pre-reg optometrist struggling to find new placement

Hi everyone,

I’m posting because I genuinely don’t know where else to turn and I’m hoping someone here might have advice or insight.

I started a pre-reg placement but left partway through because the testing exposure was extremely limited. I was only getting one day of testing a week and often not even that. My supervisor was frequently on holiday, meaning I sometimes went weeks without testing at all. I raised this concern multiple times, but nothing changed.

Alongside this, I was treated very badly at the practice. My mental health deteriorated significantly, and I stayed as long as I could until I reached a breaking point and had to leave. I know, in hindsight, that I should have secured another placement before leaving but at the time I genuinely didn’t think it would be this difficult to find another one.

It has now been over 6 months, and despite applying widely, I have not been offered another placement. I’ve been completely honest about my situation in interviews, but I can sense a lot of scepticism particularly because of the gap and because no one else has offered me a role yet. It feels like the longer this goes on, the less employable I become.

I’ve applied all over the country and am willing to relocate anywhere. I’ve visited stores in person, emailed countless directors, contacted graduate recruitment, and applied through every official route I can find. I’ve also reached out to the College of Optometrists and the AOP, but unfortunately they’ve been unable to help.

At this point, I feel incredibly lost and stressed. I worked so hard for this career, and now it feels like it’s slipping away from me despite doing everything I can. I’m starting to question whether I can even continue in optometry at all.

If anyone has been through something similar, knows of alternative routes, or has any advice at all. I would be extremely grateful. Even just hearing that someone else made it through something like this would help.

Thank you for reading.