What exactly is an Aesthetic Nurse?
Aesthetic Nurses, also known as Cosmetic Nurses, are registered nurses who have received specific training in aesthetic and cosmetic treatments. They are trained to perform a wide range of procedures to patients, including photofacials, Botox neurotoxin and dermal filler injections, tattoo removal, dermabrasion, and non-surgical body contouring.
In contrast to the high-stakes environment of an ICU or emergency nurse, an aesthetic nurse typically works in a medical spa, clinic, outpatient surgical facility, or private office. Aesthetic nurses, unlike plastic surgery nurses, are often involved in non-invasive cosmetic procedures rather than surgical operations.
Along with the duties mentioned above, the aesthetic nurse also has the following duties:
- Prior to providing services, patients must be consulted, which includes scheduling, interviews, and medical screening.
- Carrying out pre- and post-operative care
- Dermal fillers and Botox neurotoxin injections are illegal in several places.
- Skin examination to detect ageing and other health issues
- Instrument and surgery suite preparation and sterilisation
- Helping the doctor with procedures and operations
What Do Aesthetic Nurses Do?
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses work with plastic surgeons and dermatologists to perform cosmetic operations. These medical operations, whether invasive or non-invasive, are often intended to improve the look of patients.
In some circumstances, people seek therapy for medical reasons; in others, the operations might increase confidence and create a more youthful appearance.
Aesthetic nurses work in dermatology, cosmetic surgery, and medspas, as well as in hospital operating rooms. Surgery nurses’ schedules can be disrupted by emergencies and bad responses to treatments on occasion, but in most situations, aesthetic nurses work normal hours with no night shifts.
Aesthetic nurses can create long-term connections with patients who return for maintenance of existing treatments or to study further therapies, in addition to working in an atmosphere committed to enhancing patient quality of life.
Nurses who work in medical aesthetics can notice the changes their treatments give and the boost in confidence patients might experience as a result of reaching their specific cosmetic objectives.
Why should you become an aesthetic nurse?
While all prospective nurses have a desire to help or better the lives of others, it is also true that not all specialisations are suitable for all persons. While some people thrive on the high-stakes adrenaline rush of emergency care, others may feel overwhelmed or find the stress of such a speciality harmful to their general health or family life.
Aesthetic nursing allows highly trained nurses to spend more time and create relationships with recurrent patients, all while helping those patients feel better about themselves. The benefits for both nurses and patients can be life-changing.
Aesthetic Nurses Work Where?
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses are not typically found in hospitals. The treatments and procedures they provide are not deemed “acute,” requiring extensive observation and monitoring. They primarily work in outpatient medical clinics, medical spas, private offices, and, on occasion, outpatient surgery centres.
Every aesthetic nurse must be ready for the occasional emergency or adverse treatment reaction, regardless of where they work. They are also very busy, with a full schedule of patients.
Aesthetic Nursing Programs
California Medical Aesthetic Training, Inc.
The Medical Aesthetic Training of California (camedtraining.com) in Newport Beach offers cosmetic laser therapy seminars for permanent hair reduction, skin resurfacing, tattoo removal, and vascular lesions. Other classes cover dermal filler creation, dental block techniques, and correct injection techniques for aesthetic operations.
Cosmetic Nurse Concepts
Cosmetic Nurse Concepts (cosmedical-training.com) offers online continuing education in cosmetic treatments like microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, chemical peels, botox, and dermal fillers. It is only theoretical, but it offers students with a solid basis in medical aesthetics.
Dallas Advanced Medical Aesthetics Centre
The Dallas Center for Advanced Medical Aesthetic (medicalaestheticscertification.com) is intended for nurses and doctors who want to expand their profession into medical aesthetics skin care. Structure and function of the skin, bacteriology in a salon setting, pigmentation disorders, ageing and photo-ageing, skin rejuvenation, scar and stretch mark reduction, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, introduction to botox and fillers, lasers, skin nutrition, nutrition, and how to set up a medical aesthetic practices are all covered in the programme course.
Esthetic Skin Institute
The Esthetic Skin Institute is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (esiw.com). It serves as a reference and instructional centre for pupils. Botox, dermal fillers (including Restylaneederm, Perlane, Radiesse, and Prevelle), sclerotherapy, carboxy therapy, mesotherapy, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser, pulsed light, and energy-based equipment are among the techniques taught in the programme.
Salary of an Aesthetic Nurse
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses’ salaries might vary depending on their education, qualification, experience, and geographic region within the country.
The BLS estimates that the average annual pay for registered nurses in 2020 will be $75,330. While the BLS does not expressly publish on aesthetic nurse wages, ZipRecruiter states that the average yearly income for a cosmetic nurse is $85,621, with some cosmetic nurses making as much as $124,000, and the middle 25th percentile of the country ranging from $69,000 to $99,500.
Cosmetic nurses with the most experience in their specialty, like with most other patient care professions, are compensated the most. Additional benefits like paid vacation and sick leave, health, dental, and vision insurance are frequently added to pay.
What Do Aesthetic Nurses Need to Know About Continuing Education?
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses who achieve the criteria for Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist position must recertify every three years.
Recertification requires 45 contact hours, with at least two hours dedicated solely to patient safety.
A minimum of 30 contact hours must be completed in one of the following core specialties: plastic/aesthetic/cosmetic surgery, dermatology, face plastic surgery, or ophthalmology.
Nurses must retake the CANS test every three years to keep their accreditation. Again, no training course is necessary for recertification.
Aesthetic Cosmetic Nurses’ Earnings and Job Prospects
Cosmetic nurses’ salaries are related to their level of education and professional experience. Most enter the profession after working as RNs or NPs. RNs must have an associate or bachelor’s degree, whereas NPs must have a master’s degree.
RNs earn a median annual pay of $73,300, with the top 10% earning more than $111,220. According to BLS data, the median annual salary for NPs in 2019 was $115,800, with the top 10% earning $184,180.
Earning potential differs by industry as well. NPs are paid the most at hospitals, outpatient care facilities, and physician offices, with incomes ranging from $122,420 to $113,190. Government, hospitals, and ambulatory healthcare services pay the most for registered nurses, with wages ranging from $79,790-$70,330.
The demand for NPs, which is expected to expand by 45 percent from 2019 to 29, should outperform that of RNs, which is expected to grow by 7 percent during the same time period. Employers might hire 24,200 NPs and 175,900 RNs per year during the next decade.
Steps of becoming an Aesthetic nurse:
Step 1. Earn Your Registered Nurse Degree
Cosmetic nurse positions normally need individuals to hold a registered nurse (RN) or nurse practitioner (NP) licence, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A master’s degree is the bare minimum for working as a nurse practitioner. However, because the RN and NP requirements are interchangeable, this position does not require an advanced nursing degree.
In some situations, nurses interested in cosmetic nursing can start looking for experience in their field while still in school. Some educational institutes provide training in fat grafting, liposuction, chemical peels, and cosmetic fillers.
Step 2: Pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
Prospective cosmetic nurses must then earn an RN licence. Candidates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) and graduate from an accredited nursing programme to be eligible. Some state licensure criteria for registered nurses may differ. Those interested in pursuing optional licensing as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) must already hold an RN licence and must pass an additional exam. This will enable you to work as an aesthetic RN.
Step 3: Acquire Experience
Once licenced, persons might work as an assistant to a cosmetic nurse in plastic surgery and medical spa institutions. Because cosmetic nurses are normally required to have at least two years of experience before they can practise, newly licenced nurses may benefit from job shadowing opportunities. Individuals may learn about basic cosmetic nurse job functions such as measuring skin ageing, delivering Botox injections, and providing post-operative care while shadowing.
Step 4: Obtain a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist certification.
Although it is optional, having this specialist certification helps demonstrate to prospective employers that a nurse is capable of doing cosmetic operations when looking for aesthetic nursing positions. This might provide you with additional information on how to become a cosmetic injector or other aesthetic nurse specialisation. The Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board offers the Certified Aesthetics Nurse Specialist (CANS) credential (PSNCB). The CANS exam requires an RN licence and two years of experience as an RN, one of which must be in facial plastic surgery, ENT, plastic/aesthetic surgery, dermatology, or ophthalmology. Those who pass the exam are required to recertify every three years by completing 45 contact hours of continuing education.
FAQs:
What is the average time it takes to become an aesthetic nurse?
A registered nurse with her licence can immediately apply for positions as an aesthetic nurse, but if you want to get certified as an aesthetic nurse by the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board, you will need two years of experience, including one year in a relevant specialist area.
What Does an aesthetic Nurse Get Paid?
The average yearly income for an aesthetic nurse in the United States is little over $85,000, according to ZipRecruiter. Keep in mind that this average includes both advanced practice nurses (APRNs) and entry-level nurse wages.
What Is the Role of an Aesthetic Nurse?
They not only provide inpatient and outpatient cosmetic services such as laser hair removal and skincare treatments, dermabrasion, Botox injections, and fillers to give patients a more youthful appearance, but they also work alongside physicians such as dermatologists and plastic surgeons as they perform clinical and surgical procedures on patients.
What Education Do You Need to Become an Aesthetic Nurse?
To become an aesthetic nurse, you must first complete an ADN or BSN degree and then pass the NCLEX-RN exam in your state. Although accreditation with the PSNCB is not compulsory, many companies in the healthcare area desire it.
