Are you thinking about becoming an aesthetic nurse practitioner but don’t know where to start? Many nurses are moving into this field for better hours, pay, and less stress. If you want to join them, there are some steps you need to take first.
We’ll discuss the five main steps to becoming an aesthetic nurse practitioner in the article below. Let’s get started!
1. Become a Registered Nurse
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Of course, first, you need to become a registered nurse with a degree. You can do so through a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a two-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing. You must choose the one that works best for you.
Then, you need to become licensed after getting your RN degree. For most nurses, that means taking the NCLEX-RN, which you can sign up for online. Your school will also discuss the best ways to become a licensed RN with you during your time there.
What are the Educational Requirements?
There are several educational requirements for becoming a nurse in this field. You need to complete your degree and pass the NCLEX-RN to earn a license in your state.
After gaining your nursing license, you can start applying for jobs as an aesthetic nurse. However, to be certified as an aesthetic nurse, you’ll want to have two years of experience in the field, with a year in your cosmetic specialty.
It takes several years to complete these requirements, but don’t let that discourage you! Being an aesthetic nurse is a rewarding career with a salary you can live comfortably on. If you’re passionate about it, then it’s worth pursuing.
2. Receive NP Training
To become an aesthetic nurse, you’ll need specialized nurse practitioner (NP) training. You can apply to NP schools that focus on aesthetic procedures. You’ll need to pass the board certification exam and become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
You must keep your APRN and RN licenses up to date after receiving them— you need both to work as an aesthetic nurse practitioner.
3. Work on Additional Certifications
It’s also a good idea to work on building more credentials, allowing you to earn higher pay as an aesthetic nurse. Plus, the courses can help you develop your nursing skills and make you more valuable to aesthetic practices and patients. This process dramatically increases your potential aesthetic nurse practitioner salary significantly.
Some certifications you might want come from the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board. The organization makes it easy to sign up for their tests and stay certified after earning them.
Overall, you must keep up on special certifications. They demonstrate your expert knowledge and open up more opportunities for growth within your field. Aesthetic nurses with more certificates often have more job prospects than those without.
4. Gain Experience
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You must spend a lot of time working on your nursing experience. After graduating from school, you’ll want to work with professional plastic surgeons or dermatologists to advance your skills. Make sure you apply to practices that have the specialties you’re interested in.
You must understand these aesthetic procedures, which you can improve by learning from licensed professionals:
- Chemical peels
- Botox
- Dermal fillers
- Sclerotherapy
- Laser treatments
- Nose reshaping
- Facelift
- And more!
There are many different areas of aesthetic nursing, so you’ll want to learn the procedures that interest you the most.
Practices will look for experienced nurses who have the following work skills, so you’ll want to work on improving them:
- Proper training and schooling
- Great communication
- Great attention to detail
- Compassion for patients
- Teamwork
- Desire to learn and grow
How Do I Find an Aesthetic Nursing Job?
It can feel unnerving to start your new career. You’ll want to start by looking online and talking with professionals in your area. Your professors from your college courses can also help to point you in the right direction.
Many people search for jobs online through sites like ZipRecruiter and Indeed. You’ll have a wide selection of options, so it helps to make a list first. Do you want to work in a medical spa or physician’s office? You’ll need to answer those questions before you apply anywhere.
Try reaching out to any local practices you find. Even if they’re not currently hiring, they might be able to point you in the right direction.
You may need to move to find a job. Still, the competitive salary that aesthetic nurse practitioners receive is worth it for most people.
5. Keep Up With Recertification
Next, you need to keep up with your licenses and certifications after you become an aesthetic nurse. You must do this every three years. Training isn’t a requirement, although you need to have 45 contact hours total, with two of those hours focusing on your patient’s safety.
Then, you must also have at least 30 contact hours within the primary aesthetic specialties, including dermatology, plastic or cosmetic surgery, or ophthalmology.
If you allow your credentials to expire, you’ll have to take a leave of absence from the practice until you complete the requirements. It’s much less stressful if you do everything on time, so keep up with it as much as possible.
Are Aesthetic Nurses in High Demand?
Yes, aesthetic nurses are in very high demand today! You can easily choose where you want to work with training and certifications. Many practices and med spas are looking for experts with the expertise and skills to work with their patients.
About 6,600 new jobs will be joining the aesthetic field by 2024. This field is growing so rapidly that if you want to become an aesthetic nurse practitioner, you can trust that there will be plenty of work opportunities. Becoming a nurse is a long process, but you’re sure to find a job in your specialty that you love.
Start on Your Journey Today
The sooner you start your nursing practitioner journey, the sooner you can become an aesthetic nurse. You’ll need to complete many requirements, including education, training, and licensing. However, they’re all sure to be worthwhile experiences for you.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to start preparing for your aesthetic nurse practitioner journey today!