Insight takes an inside look at a three-day onboarding program supporting new optometry graduates as they transition into professional practice.
For Hoai “Nam” Nguyen, the move from university to fulltime practice has been defined by both continuity and change. Now based at EyeQ Lithgow after relocating from Canberra, the new graduate optometrist recently completed EssilorLuxottica’s three-day onboarding program, Eyelaunch, designed to support clinicians at the start of their careers.
Nguyen’s pathway into optometry began with a personal connection to the profession. Regular visits to a local optometrist during his school years left a lasting impression, shaping his interest in a career that blends science with patient interaction.
That interest led him to study vision science at the University of New South Wales before completing a Master of Optometry at the University of Canberra, graduating in 2025.
While studying in Canberra, Nguyen began working as a dispenser with OPSM, an experience he describes as foundational.
“I wanted to see what it’s like behind the scenes,” he says.
That early exposure continued through a cadetship program, which led him to a regional graduate role, at EyeQ Lithgow.
He is currently practising in OPSM Orange, where he works alongside a mentor optometrist and store team, supported by structured learning and extended consultation times as he builds confidence in clinic.
Eyelaunch formed part of that transition. Held over three days in Sydney, the program brought together new graduates from across the network for a mix of clinical education, professional development, and peer connection.
Nguyen describes the experience as both intensive and engaging.
“There was a mixture of interactive workshops and clinical sessions which we went through case by case,” he says. “We also had presentations from leaders in different areas like myopia control, contact lenses and AI.”
A key feature, he notes, was the emphasis on active participation. “It wasn’t just passive learning. We had practical elements where we worked in groups, discussed cases and applied what we were learning.”
Alongside the clinical content, the program incorporated social events designed to build relationships among new graduates.
“We had activities to go around and socialise, introduce ourselves and make connections,” Nguyen says.
“We shared our journeys, the same struggles at the start, and also our small wins.”
Another component was a DISC-based workshop, completed before the event and unpacked during the program. The assessment focuses on behavioural styles and communication, with applications for both team dynamics and patient interactions.
“It helps you understand yourself, but also the people around you, including patients,” Nguyen says. “It improves your communication and self-awareness.”
For Nguyen, the transition into practice has involved a mix of clinical and operational learning.
Early challenges have centred on adapting to new systems and equipment, as well as navigating workflows within a busy practice environment.
He says support structures have been critical.
“My team gave me longer consultation times when I started, with gaps where I could catch up on referrals or ask questions,” he says. “It gave me space to learn comfortably and not feel rushed.”
That support extends beyond his immediate team, with regular check-ins from managers and access to a broader professional network. “Not just my mentor, but the area manager and store managers are always checking in to make sure I’m okay,” he says. “It’s a network of support.”
Looking ahead, Nguyen has a clear area of interest: myopia control, particularly in paediatric patients.
Exposure to this area during his studies and early career, combined with insights gained during Eyelaunch, has reinforced that focus.
“We learned about new technologies coming out to help with myopia control, like biometry to measure eye length,” he says. “There are also opportunities to study further if you want to go deeper into that area.”
For Nguyen, the combination of structured onboarding, workplace support and peer connection has helped ease the shift from student to practitioner.
While the early stages of practice come with challenges, he sees them as part of a broader learning curve.
“You learn from each other along the way.”
