Become an Aesthetic Nurse by Following 4 Simple Steps
Updated On October 19, 2023 | by Zayn Tindall
Do you wish to become an aesthetic nurse? Are you aware of what such a nurse does? Aesthetic nurses or cosmetic nurses primarily focus on dermatological and cosmetic procedures. They are usually NPs (nurse practitioners) or RNs (registered nurses). They are also known as APRNs (advanced practice registered nurses). These nurses even use medical apps for doctors to help with their work.
As a cosmetic nurse, you will have to attend several classes, such as laser hair removal, dermal filler, chemical peel, collagen replacement therapy, body contouring, and Botox classes for nurses, among other non-invasive treatments. In addition, you will have to treat patients under the supervision of a medical director or a doctor.
You may practice in medical spas or outpatient surgical centers in full-time or part-time roles with your certification.
What are the Career Requirements of a Cosmetic Nurse?
If you are equipped with a bachelor’s degree, regardless if it’s a traditional one or one of the reputable fast online degrees, 2 to 3 years of practice, a voluntary certificate, and an RN license issued by the state, you can become an aesthetic nurse. However, as an aspiring candidate eager to make a mark in this field, you must pay attention to every detail, be compassionate, possess good interpersonal skills, and exhibit a lot of energy, patience, and positivity.
Aesthetic Nurse Specialities
There are several specialties of the aesthetic nurses’ profession among which one may choose from.
- Nurse Injectors: the nurses specializing in this field are required to perform cosmetic treatments of the face through needle injections.
- Laser Facial Nurse: Laser facial nurses are known to treat the patients’ skin through lasers, so to help them reduce the scarring, wrinkles, and discoloration.
- Tattoo Removal Nurse: These nurses use laser tech to remove tattoos from the parts of the body.
- Laser Hair Removal Nurse: They help in removing unwanted hairs for patients.
- Non-Surgical Body Treatment: These nurses perform functions of radiofrequency, fat reduction, and contouring procedures.
Therefore, as per your area of interest, you may choose the right type of specialty for you. You may prepare for the next-generation NCLEX exam to help you become a certified nurse.
How to Become an Aesthetic Nurse?
Below are some simple steps that will definitely help you to become an aesthetic nurse easily.
Obtain a Nursing Degree
Do you have an RN or NP license? If your reply is a yes, you can opt for an aesthetic nursing course. These licenses are provided when a candidate passes the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). To work as an NP, you need to have a master’s degree. If you’d like to learn more, visit academicpartnerships.uta.edu/programs/rn-to-msn-fnp.aspx.
In case you have always liked this field and have wanted to make it big, try to seek experience in this specialization while graduating. Enroll as an apprentice to a specialist or take admission to an educational institution to learn about dermal filler, Botox injection, liposuction, fat grafting, and more.
Get a Nursing License
To get an RN license, attend cosmetic and botox classes for nurses, and graduate from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses from different states have to cater to different licensing needs. If you already possess an RN license and wish to become an aesthetic RN, try to obtain an optional license as an APRN.
Acquire Experience in Cosmetic Nursing
When you get your license, you can find employment at medical spas and plastic surgery centers as a cosmetic nurse’s assistant. Whenever you get a chance, shadow your seniors to learn the details and intricacies of the work. Remember, you have at least two years to learn from them.
If you have already not assisted medical practitioners and nurses during school, this is the time to learn about the functions of a cosmetic nurse. You may try to learn about performing post-operative care, evaluating if a client’s skin has aged, and administering Botox injections.
You may use one year in plastic/aesthetic surgery, facial plastic surgery ENT, ophthalmology, or dermatology within these two years. Once you have gained the relevant knowledge, you then may build your own resilience business in this field.
A Specialist Certification Might Help
Have you considered obtaining an aesthetic nurse specialist certification? Though there is no rule for acquiring this certification, your potential employers can consider it a sign of your competency in performing cosmetic procedures when you are job hunting for healthcare careers. It can also give you information regarding other aesthetic nurse specialties, like becoming a cosmetic injector.
The PSNCB (Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board) offers the CANS (Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist). For studying this course, you should have an RN license accompanied by a minimum of two years of practice as an RN. To be eligible for this course, you should also gain experience for a year in other fields mentioned in the previous subpoint. When you pass, do not think that it is the end of your studies and certifications. You have to apply for recertification every three years.
Hopefully, this article has helped you gain more information about how to become an aesthetic nurse. Now, get in touch with a reliable institute to understand each step and requirement elaborately.
Timeline of Becoming Aesthetic Nurse
It takes a certain number of years to become an aesthetic nurse.
- It takes 2–5 years to complete the relevant degrees.
- 6 months to 3 years to pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
- 2 years of working with a certified physician.
Aesthetic Nurse Salary & Benefits
There are several factors that determine the salary of aesthetic nurses, like, type of certificate, experience, and location. In general, the salary of aesthetic nurses can vary between 70,000 USD to 140,000 USD.
Further, there are other benefits that aesthetic nurses might get in an organization.
- Sick and Casual leave.
- Coverage of necessary prescriptions.
- Reimbursement of education fees.
- Paid vacation time.
- Health insurance.
Where to Find Employment?
There are several settings where an aesthetic nurse might find good employment opportunities. Following are some of these places:
- Ophthalmologists clinics
- Hospitals and large clinics
- Healthcare spas
- Cosmetic dermatology practice
- Outpatient facilities
- Self-owned private clinic
The jobs at these places could be found with the help of online job sites, newspaper ads, on-site visits, or official websites of the setting.
Additional Tips for Becoming an Aesthetic Nurse
There are some additional tips that one may follow to become an aesthetic nurse.
Gain Additional Knowledge
There are several online platforms that may help you to gain additional knowledge in the area, apart from your certification. These platforms might include YouTube, online blogs, and articles.
Attend Additional Courses
There are further certificate courses that can help one to gain additional expertise in the area. Botox and Filler certification courses are among them.
Use Social Media
If you are planning to open your private clinic, social media can help you to gain attract and retain customers. Also, follow other influencers in this field to know the popular best practices. You will even need to develop the right cosmetic treatment website.
We hope this guide has helped you alot and provided simple solutions for becoming an aesthetic nurse. Thank you for reading!
