Rozina Aziz The article provides information about an aesthetic nurse’s role, responsibilities, typical salary, and requirements for becoming one. It also includes answers to commonly asked questions.
What is an aesthetic nurse?
Aesthetic nurses specialize in cosmetic health and typically work in dermatologists’ clinics, health spas, and plastic surgeons’ offices. Aesthetic nurses work mostly with patients undergoing dermatological or cosmetic operations for therapeutic or aesthetic reasons. Transform your skin with the latest in anti-aging fillers, dermabrasion, laser removal, and acne treatments – all part of their expertly curated menu of specialized procedures.
What Do Aesthetic Nurses Do?
Aesthetic nurses aid cosmetic doctors, such as plastic surgeons and dermatologists, in performing operations. Invasive and non-invasive cosmetic medical procedures can help patients feel better about their appearance. Some people want therapy for medical reasons, while others seek it for cosmetic reasons, such as to feel better about themselves or to look younger.
Aesthetic nurses, whether full-time or part-time, may be responsible for the following tasks:
- Pre-service patient consultation entails setting up appointments, conducting interviews, and performing health checks.
- Checking the skin for signs of aging and other diseases.
- The provision of pre-and post-operative care.
- Medical treatments and surgeries often necessitate the help of an assistant.
- Sterilizing equipment and setting up operating rooms.
- Among the many services we offer are chemical peels, laser hair removal, dermabrasion, Cool Sculpting, tattoo removal, and Botox and fillers by injection.
Aesthetic nurses provide care in various settings, including medical spas, dermatology clinics, cosmetic surgery clinics, and hospitals. Aesthetic nurses typically work 9-5, Monday through Friday, with no night shifts required, although the schedules of surgery nurses might be unpredictable due to unexpected complications and patient reactions to treatments.
Aesthetic nurses not only get to work in a field that strives to better their patients’ lives, but they also have the opportunity to cultivate long-term connections with patients who return for follow-up care or to explore new treatment options. Nurses who specialize in medical aesthetics get to witness the confidence boost their patients have due to their procedures.
Where Do Aesthetic Nurses Work?
There is a wide range of opportunities for aesthetic RNs. Here are a few examples:
- Clinics
- Skin Care Clinics
- Ophthalmology Clinics
- Therapeutic Spas
- Confidential Methods
- Centers for Minor Surgical Procedures
Jobs in cosmetic nursing typically offer a regular schedule, making them appealing to nurses who would rather not work 12-hour shifts.
What are the skills of an aesthetic nurse?
Aesthetic nurses need to be well-rounded to do their jobs well. Some of the most prevalent abilities that employers look for in candidates are:
Social abilities:
Aesthetic nurses need strong interpersonal skills to handle the high levels of interaction that come with their jobs.
Communication:
Aesthetic nurses are responsible for explaining procedures and treatments to patients in terms they may easily understand and accept. They need to interact with doctors and other office workers effectively.
Compassion:
A nurse handling a patient who is understandably anxious before surgery or a procedure demonstrates her professionalism and compassion.
Detailed Attention:
Aesthetic nurses must pay close attention to detail to keep their patients safe during procedures.
Tips to Become an Aesthetic Nurse
Greetings, lovely individuals! Rozina here. I want to assist you in getting into the aesthetic nursing field since I have been getting a lot of questions from people like you.
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Get familiar with the fundamentals of neuromodulators (your Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin) and dermal fillers (such as Juvederm Ultra/Ultra Plus, Voluma, Vollure, Volbella, etc.), Restylane (Lyft, Refyne, Defyne, etc.), Galderma (Sculptra), and Revanesse (Versa) by watching as many videos as possible on YouTube. Investigate their natures, mechanisms, distinguishing features, facial applications, etc.
You may feel overwhelmed now, but you will eventually understand. Facial anatomy and the function of facial muscles are equally crucial knowledge. YouTube also provides excellent videos that will help you improve your technique and understanding. You can build off of this quite nicely.
Get Certified in Botox and Fillers
There, you can gain familiarity with Botox and fillers through direct experience. The qualification you earn will look great on your resume when applying for jobs in the future. Your lack of experience will turn off most employers; therefore, you must demonstrate initiative. Please prove that you are ready to do everything it takes, regardless of the cost.
Most clinics prefer to hire someone with prior injector expertise because training is extremely costly. Multiple clinics have told me that nurses are renowned for working briefly at one clinic to get experience before moving on to another. That could be better for business. If you want to find a course, type “Botox and filler certifications course near me” into Google and see what comes up. I hope that you can make it to at least one of them.
Stick with local injectors you can follow on social media:
Become actively involved! Be their biggest fan by liking and commenting on their posts. Please introduce yourself and start a conversation about your background as an injector, job openings, shadowing possibilities, tips, and more.
Only 50% will reply, but the other 50% will. If you consistently engage with a practice on social media and show interest when they are hiring, you will give yourself an advantage. Put that on your resume if they consent to a shadow day. Everything is useful.
Amplify your online presence:
LinkedIn is useful in this field since it allows you to give a name and a face to a résumé. Get to know the staff of as many local businesses as possible. Contact them when they have time and share your enthusiasm for the sector through personalized letters. Get in the habit of asking for shadowing experiences.
Because you were brave enough to send them a message (surprise, hardly many people do this), they will remember you forever. For added credibility, invest in a high-quality professional headshot.
Wait and Continue to Strive:
It took me about a year to break in. I applied to many clinics, interviewed, and was continually turned down. But I kept trying at every turn, confident I would be accepted sooner or later. In the end, success is proportional to your level of desire. Determine your “why” for entering the field, and let that drive you no matter what comes your way. You can do it, ladies; don’t give up!
How to become an aesthetic nurse?
To become an aesthetic nurse, you must first fulfill several prerequisites. The typical professional path to that of an aesthetic nurse looks like this:
Register for a bachelor’s degree program:
Candidates for aesthetic nursing professions are expected to hold at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and be either registered nurses (RNs) or nurse practitioners (NPs). Check with your state’s nursing board to be sure the school of your choice offers an officially approved nursing program.
A nursing education program offers courses in various areas such as patient care, clinical study, psychology, anatomy and physiology, nursing research, and health care policyA bachelor’s degree can be earned in four or five years, depending on how often you attend class.
Inquire about licenses:
The nursing board in each state. If you want to practice aesthetic nursing, you must apply for a license with the relevant board in your state. To work as a nurse in multiple states, you must become licensed in each jurisdiction separately. In addition to the application and background check, we require official transcripts from each institution or university attended. You can contact the nursing board in your state via their website for details on how to apply.
Pass the NCLEX-RN exam:
You must demonstrate competence on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) before applying for your nursing license. Examinees’ abilities to follow established protocols and maintain patient safety are tested. If you want to work as a medical assistant, this test will show that you’re prepared to do so securely. Examinees should allot themselves roughly 6 hours to complete the test. A minimum of 45 days must elapse between attempts at the exam if you do not pass on the first try.
Find work as a registered nurse:
Before becoming an aesthetic nurse, you must have two to three years of nursing experience. A possible option is to obtain work experience as an assistant to an aesthetic nurse in a medical spa or outpatient plastic surgery clinic.
If you need help finding work in cosmetic nursing, you can also explore earning experience as a nurse under a board-certified physician specializing in another type of surgery. To become a certified aesthetic nurse, you must have worked in cosmetics nursing for at least a year.
Become a certified aesthetic nurse specialist:
Aesthetic nurse specialists can choose to become certified, but some jobs may demand it. This credential proves that you have the skills to perform cosmetic operations safely and effectively. To obtain certification in plastic surgical nursing, individuals may apply to the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB).
A minimum of two years experience as a registered nurse is required, with at least one year spent in a field related to cosmetics (such as dermatology, plastic/aesthetic surgery, or otolaryngology–head and neck plastic surgery) to qualify for the certification. If you want to keep your Certified Aesthetics Nurse Specialist (CANS) credential active after you’ve earned it, you’ll need to recertify every three years.
What education do aesthetic nurses need?
Every three years, Aesthetic Nurses who have attained CANS accreditation must recertify. 45 contact hours are needed for recertification, two of which must be focused on patient safety. Core areas of expertise require a minimum of 30 hours of direct instruction time:
- Cosmetic/Plastic/Aesthetic Surgery
- Dermatology
- Cosmetic surgery of the face
- Ophthalmology
In addition, CANS certification requires recertification every three years. Recertification does not necessitate any further training.
How Much Does an Aesthetic Nurse Make?
Several factors, including education, experience, certification, location, company, and specialty, affect how much an aesthetic nurse is paid. However, ZipRecruiter reports that the average yearly salary for a Cosmetic RN is $89,976. Earnings for some aesthetic nurses can reach $134,000. The median annual salary for Registered Nurses, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is $77,600, which is significantly lower than this range.
As in most areas of medicine, a Cosmetic Nurse’s salary improves with time spent in the field. Aesthetic nurses typically receive generous benefits in addition to competitive salaries, such as time off for vacation and illness, insurance for medical care, dental care, and vision care, as well as support for the cost of prescription drugs and tuition assistance.
What is the Career Outlook for Aesthetic Nurses?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 9% rise in the number of jobs available to registered nurses by 2030, which is excellent news for those in the field. Additionally, cosmetic operations like plastic surgery are becoming increasingly popular. There will be a higher demand for trained medical personnel to carry out these treatments and look after their patients.
The number of Botox procedures performed between 2000 and 2018 showed a significant increase and there are no signs of this trend slowing down. Consequently, registered nurses interested in the cosmetic healthcare profession have a bright future due to the increased demand for aesthetic treatments. Aesthetic nurses have an exciting career ahead of them.
FAQ’s
What is an Aesthetic Nurse?
An aesthetic nurse is a registered nurse who has gained the necessary training and certification to provide cosmetic treatments to patients. They specialize in administering non-surgical procedures such as Botox, dermal fillers, laser hair removal, chemical peels, and microdermabrasion.
What qualifications do I need to become an Aesthetic Nurse?
To become an aesthetic nurse, one must meet the educational requirements set forth by their state and any certification requirements. Generally, this includes a minimum of two years’ experience as a registered nurse, knowledge in areas related to cosmetics such as dermatology or plastic surgery, and recertification every three years to maintain their credentials.
What type of salary can I expect as an Aesthetic Nurse?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for Registered Nurses is $77,600. However, ZipRecruiter reports that the average yearly salary for a Cosmetic RN is $89,976. Earnings for some aesthetic nurses can reach $134,000.
What education do aesthetic nurses need?
Every three years, Aesthetic Nurses who have attained CANS accreditation must recertify. 45 contact hours are needed for recertification, two of which must be focused on patient safety. Core areas of expertise require a minimum of 30 hours of direct instruction time: Cosmetic/Plastic/Aesthetic Surgery, Dermatology, Cosmetic surgery of the face and Ophthalmology. Additionally, CANS certification requires recertification every three years. Recertification does not necessitate any further training.
