How to become an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse (2023)

Nurses make a difference in people's lives in many different ways, and this applies equally to an esthetician or aesthetic nurse. In this career, you will help people who use non-invasive treatments in the office, such as injections and skin care treatments.

Cosmetic nurses often assist plastic surgeons and cosmetic dermatologists, provide pre- and post-operative care related to plastic surgery, as well as provide patient care under physician supervision.

In this guide, we explain how to become an aesthetic nurse or aesthetic nurse, average salary for an aesthetic nurse, education requirements and much more.

• What is an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse?
• What are they doing?
• How to become an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse
• Types of aesthetic nurses
• Aesthetic/cosmetic nurse salary
• The best tips on how to become an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse
• CEU cows
• Frequently asked questions
• Resources
• Next step

Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses are registered nurses who provide a wide range of services. This may include,

• Dermal fillers and Botox neurotoxin injections
• Face pictures
• Dermabrasion
• Micro-needling
• Removal of tattoos
• Non-surgical body contouring

Note: Some employers use the alternate spelling of "Cosmetic Nurse" or "Cosmetic Nurse" in job descriptions and job postings. In this guide, we use the traditional spelling of "cosmetic nurse".

Cosmetic nurses typically work in private offices or spas affiliated with plastic surgery or cosmetic dermatology. Cosmetic nurses provide services to a wide variety of patients seeking a boost to their appearance and self-confidence.

The majority of patients seeking this type of treatment are women, but men are also increasingly seeking these treatments, increasing the demand for cosmetic medical procedures.

Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses assist plastic surgeons and dermatologists in performing cosmetic procedures. These health procedures - whether invasive or non-invasive - help improve patients' appearance.

In some cases, patients seek treatment for medical purposes. for others, procedures can provide a boost in confidence and a more youthful appearance.

Whether you work full-time or part-time, job responsibilities performed by aesthetic/cosmetic nurses may include:

• Patient consultation, including planning, interviews and pre-service medical examination.
• Skin examination to assess aging and other health problems.
• Implementation of preoperative and postoperative care.
• Assistance to the doctor during procedures and operations.
• Preparation and sterilization of instruments and surgical sets.
• Administering botox and filler injections, performing chemical peels, laser hair removal, dermabrasion, CoolSculpting, tattoo removal and more.

Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses work in dermatology and plastic surgery offices and medical offices and may also assist in hospital operating rooms. Occasional emergencies and side effects to treatments can create an unpredictable schedule for surgical nurses, but in most cases aesthetic nurses regularly work off night shifts.

In addition to working in an environment dedicated to improving patients' quality of life, aesthetic nurses can also build long-term relationships with patients who return to maintain existing treatments or to explore additional treatments.

Nurses who work in medical aesthetics can see the improvements their treatments bring and notice the boost in self-confidence that patients can get from achieving their individual aesthetic goals.

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If you want to become an aesthetic nurse, you must complete the following steps.

Step 1. Get your registered nurse training

Becoming an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse starts with a registered nurse degree, which you can earn in two yearsassociate degree in nursing(ADN) or four yearsbachelor in nursinggrad (BSN).

Some nurses choose to go beyond the BSN and obtain a Master of Science in Nursing belownational pressurefor advanced practice nurses.

Trin 2. Tag NCLEX-RN

Once you have earned your RN degree from an accredited nursing program, you must pass itNCLEX-RNlicensing exams from one or more states.

Step 3. Gain experience

You must spend at least two years working in core competencies with a board-certified physician in plastic/cosmetic/cosmetic surgery, dermatology, facial plastic surgery, or ophthalmology.

Step 4. Earn a Certified Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse Specialist Certificate

Position yourself for the best aesthetics/cosmeticscare places, consider becoming an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) credential.The Certification Board for Plastic Surgery Nursing.

To obtain this certification, you must take exams usually offered by the PSNCB in the spring and fall of each year. Unlike some certifications, no specific training courses are required to obtain the PSNCB certification.

To obtain a certificate, nurses must have:

• Unrestricted and unrestricted RN license in the United States, its territories, or Canada
• At least 1000 hours of practical teaching within the basic specialties in the past two years
• At least two years of experience in nursing with a licensed physician within one of the following specialties:
  • Plastic/aesthetic surgery
  • Ophthalmology
  • Dermatology, respectively
  • Facial plastic surgery (ENT)
• Current employment with a licensed physician from one of the specialties listed.
• Your application has been approved by a supervising physician with a current full and unrestricted license

Time frame to become an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse:

• Two to five years to earn an ADN, BSN, or MSN degree
• Pass the NCLEX-RN exam
• Two years of experience with a board-certified physician in plastic/cosmetic/cosmetic surgery, dermatology, facial plastic surgery, or ophthalmology

One of the best parts of being an aesthetic nurse is the many unique opportunities to help patients feel and look their best! Aesthetic care is a rapidly growing field due to the introduction of new treatments and technologies, and there are many exciting specialties to choose from.

To take on a new cosmetic specialty or learn how to perform a new treatment, cosmetic nurses must take courses and study under the guidance of an experienced doctor or nurse.

Also, this type of care requires hard work to maintain a sharp skill set and stay up to date with the latest products, procedures and techniques in the cosmetic market.

Regardless of the specialty a nurse chooses, responsibilities typically include:

• Evaluation of medical history
• Detailed explanation of procedures to patients
• Preparing the patient for treatment
• Monitoring of patients during treatment
• Electronic documentation
• Provide instructions for post-processing and follow-up

Injection nurse

Injectable nurses specialize in cosmetic treatments designed to enhance or enhance the appearance of the face through needle injections. Some types of cosmetic injections that a nurse may specialize in include:

• Botulism toxins, such as Botox or Dysport, to temporarily smooth facial muscles to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Dermal filessuch as hyaluronic acid (HA) or calcium hydroxylapatite for a plump or "sculpted" face
• Injections for fat reductionto break down double chin fat, like Kybella.

Laser facial nurse

Nurses who perform laser facials can help patients minimize wrinkles, reduce acne scars, and help improve skin discoloration from overexposure to the sun. Most laser facials remove the outer layers of skin to reveal the new skin underneath and help promote and stimulate collagen production.

Nurses using any type of laser equipment must accurately assess each patient's skin type and determine the most appropriate treatment and level settings. Types of facial lasers include:

• CO2 laser treatments
• Intens pulsed light (IPL) behandlinger.
• Pulse laser color treatments
• Fractional laser treatments

Tattoo Removal Nurse

This type of cosmetic nurse specializes in tattoo removal using laser technology. There are many different technologies for tattoo removal, and nurses need to understand the different types of laser systems, the appropriate settings and techniques for laser removal, and the potential risks of the treatment.

Laser hair removal nurse

As one of the most popular and growing cosmetic procedures today, laser hair removal is an increasingly popular specialty for cosmetic nurses. A laser hair removal nurse specializes in using laser technology to remove unwanted hair.

Nurses performing laser hair removal must provide a safe and effective treatment and review post-treatment instructions with patients. Most laser hair removal treatments require multiple visits over several months to a year, so many laser hair removal nurses get to know their patients well over time.

Chemical peeling nurse

A chemical peel is a cosmetic treatment that involves applying a chemical solution to the skin, causing the outer layers of the skin to peel. Chemical peels usually take a few days or even weeks to heal, but the treatment ultimately reveals smoother, younger-looking skin underneath. Treatments usually last 1 hour or less.

Non-Surgical Physical Therapy Nurse Practitioner

Many cosmetic nurses enjoy providing non-surgical body treatments because they can help their patients feel better and maybe even encourage them to improve their health.

Types of non-surgical cosmetic body treatments include:

• Radio frequency: to reduce cellulite
• Contour procedures: treatments that cause strong muscle contractions, such as Emsculpt
• Fat reduction: a procedure that "freezes fat" like Coolsculpting

Salary for aesthetic nursesmay vary based on education, certification, experience and geographic location within the country.

According toBLSthe average annual salary for registered nurses in 2021 was $77,600 per year or $37.31 per hour. Although the BLS does not specifically list the salaries of nurse estheticians,ZipRecruiterreports that the average annual salary for a cosmetic nurse is $89,970. But some cosmetic nurses earn as much as $138,500.

As is the case in most other patient care professions, cosmetic nurses with higher levels of experience tend to receive the highest levels of compensation. Nurses can also increase their total compensation through other benefits, such as:

• paid holiday

• Sick leave

• health, dental and vision insurance

• Prescription coverage i

• Education supplement

>> O:Aesthetic care Salary guidance

Hello beautiful people! My name is Sabrina and I am a cosmetic injection nurse working in Bellevue, WA. I get TONS of aspiring aesthetic nurses asking me how to get into the industry and I want to help you.

I will give you five tips on how to become a cosmetic injection nurse.

1: Watch YouTube videos

Watch so many Youtube videos on the basics of neuromodulators (your Botox, Dysport and Xeomin) and different types of dermal fillers like Juvederm (Ultra/Ultra Plus, Voluma, Vollure, Volbella, etc.) Restylane (Lyft, Refyne, Defyne, etc.) , Galderma (Sculptra) and Revanesse (Versa). See what they are, how they work, what makes them different, where they are used on the face and much more.
It seems overwhelming at first, but you get the hang of it. It is also important to know your facial anatomy and how the facial muscles work. Youtube also has great technique and in-depth videos, so dive into it all. This is a good starting point.

2: Take a botox and fillers certification course

There you will learn more about the basics of botox and fillers and get some practical experience. You will also receive a certificate that will enhance your CV for future employers.

Most of you have no experience, which is a disadvantage for most employers, so it's important to show initiative! Show that you are willing to do what it takes and pay the price.

may I add that the reason most practices want an experienced injector is because training is extremely expensive - we're talking thousands on and on!

Many practices have told me that nurses are notorious for gaining their experience in one practice and then moving to another. Not good for business. Either way, Google, “Botox and filler certification course near me” to find the course and make sure it includes hands-on training. I strongly encourage you to watch at least one.

Engage, engage, engage! Like, comment? be their biggest fans. Reach out to them, ask them about their experience as an infuser, if their practice is recruiting, about shadowing opportunities, if they have any advice for you – make the connection.

Half of them won't answer, but the other half will! In the event that the practice hires, you will have an advantage based on your continued support and interactivity on their social networks. If they accept a shadow day, be sure to add it to your resume. Anything and everything helps!

4. On it social media pill

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for this industry because you can put a face on your resume. Follow as many practices as you can within your field and all their employees.

Send personal messages, share your passion for the industry and when they have the opportunity to contact you.

Look again for opportunities for follow-up. They will remember you for being bold and text them (surprisingly not many do. I also want to make sure your headshot is professionally done so check out the thread.

5. BE PATIENT AND STAY HUNGRY

It took me almost a year to break into the industry. I applied for many internships, had many interviews and was rejected time and time again. But I pushed at every opportunity knowing I would get in at the end and I did.

In the end, it all comes down to how bad you want it at the end of the day. Really ask yourself why you want to get into the business and use your "why" to motivate you in any situation. Don't give up honey, you got this!

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Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses who qualify for CANS status must undergo recertification every three years.

Requirements for recertificationinvolves collecting 45 contact hours, of which at least two hours are specifically related to patient safety.

At least 30 contact hours must be in core specialties: plastic/cosmetic/cosmetic surgery, dermatology, facial plastic surgery, or ophthalmology.

Nurses may also retake the CANS exam every three years to maintain this certification. Again, recertification does not require a training program.

• What is an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse?

  • Aesthetic nurses, also known as aesthetic nurses, are registered nurses who provide aesthetic and aesthetic services and care to their patients. These nurses have specialized training in services ranging from fillers, laser skin treatments, liposuction, tattoo removal, cosmetic surgery and more.

• How can I become an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse?

  • To become an aesthetic nurse, you must first complete the training required to become a registered nurse, noting that nurses with four-year BSN degrees will likely have an easier time finding work in their field. Once you've earned your degree and license as a registered nurse, look for work in skin care clinics, cosmetic surgery offices, or similar medical fields. You can then request certification from the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB).

• What does an esthetician/cosmetic nurse do?

  • In addition to providing inpatient and outpatient services such as laser hair removal and skin care treatments, dermabrasion, botox injections and fillers for a more youthful appearance, they also work with physicians such as dermatologists and plastic surgeons while performing clinical and surgical procedures on patients.

• What are the educational requirements to become an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse?

  • The path to becoming an esthetician/cosmetic nurse practitioner begins with earning an ADN or BSN degree and passing the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed in your state. Although PSNCB certification is not required, it is available and preferred by many employers in this healthcare field.

• How much does an esthetician/cosmetologist earn?

  • According toZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for an esthetician/cosmetologist in the United States is just over $89,970. Note that this average reflects advanced practice nurse (APRN) as well as entry-level nurse salaries.

• How long does it take to become an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse?

  • Once a registered nurse has received her license, she can immediately apply for a job as an esthetician. If you are interested in becoming certified as an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse by the PSNCB, you must have two years of experience, including one year in a related specialty.

Several organizations support aesthetic/cosmetic nurses in their practice and career development. These organizations provide funding to support the professional development, education and research of nurses. They also promote patient safety and evidence-based best practice.

These organizations include:

• The Association of Skin Nurses
• International Society of Plastic and Cosmetic Nurses
• American Society for Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery

You can also learn more about aesthetic/cosmetic care through Nurse.org! Check out our other related articles:

• 5 steps to becoming an aesthetic nurse
• So I became a cosmetic injection nurse at a cosmetic clinic

Finally, you may find it helpful to talk to a medical company that sells botox or fillers to doctors and spas. They often offer free educational resources and training as well as guidance for nurses who want to give injections.

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Aside from reading job descriptions, one of the best ways to determine if medical esthetics is the career path for you is to speak directly with an esthetician/nurse who currently works in private practice or a medical clinic. You can also approach pharmaceutical companies that sell fillers or botox, as some offer free training and resources to nurses as an incentive to sell their products to spas, etc., where these RNs will continue to work.

Nurses trained in aesthetic and cosmetic procedures can raise the standard of care for patients seeking improvements in their appearance. These nurses can also earn a competitive salary while improving the quality of life for their patients.

Whether helping a patient look younger by removing an unsightly tattoo or smoothing out old acne scars, cosmetic nurses give their patients a sense of independence and confidence unlike any other type of nursing specialty.

Helping patients and earning a competitive salary: As a nurse—whether you're a registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)—you couldn't ask for more from your profession.

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