Pros
This is a highly Structured commercial retail optical setting staffed and trained by National Vision guidelines for high corporate profitability leaving the optometrist some freedom from managerial duties. This is a great place to learn how to shorten exam time as exams are booked every 10 minutes with follow up exams booked in between the 10 min exams (with 0 minutes booked), so you are expected to see a new patient approximately every 6 -7 min. And If you do not like the optical portion of optometry - from frame buying to inventory and sales- this is for you as the company has a full sales staff trained to sell glasses. National Vision tries to give you days off that you request but you are required to work on Saturdays. Some staff members do a exceptional job. The Company overall does a good job hiring people of all backgrounds, faiths and ethnicity.
Cons
As with many corporate entities Promises are made and not kept by Management. Rules change with each new manager and doctors can be treated like staff. Not all doctors are treated equal and pay levels show that experience and talent are at times trumped by those who profit from the lower pay scale. Doctors are also treated differently depending on different contracts. That said There are some new graduates who do quite well averaging well over the going start rate. There is No room for advancement for most optometrists. Some doctors work many years without getting pay raises. For optometrists that want their own medical practice this is not it. The 10 min exam expectation can be at times stressful and therefore falls in the cons category as well. With most private practices averaging 30 min with 2 follow up exams per hour, having to examine easily double the load for same pay is not ideal for a lifetime commitment with is what the company is striving to obtain. The 10 minute rule was expanded to every 15 min during the COVID -19 time. However, the 50 % capacity guidelines recommended for cleaning and social distancing in between patients did not seem to continue even though more cleaning supplies and masks were provided by the company. Some, not all, doctors were provided with company lab coats. Finally, most of the Staff is not trained to handle patient problems sufficiently.