Aesthetic nurses administer cosmetic treatments, helping patients enhance their appearance. Curious about how to become an aesthetic nurse? You must earn a nursing degree, like a BS in nursing, and a registered nurse license. Nurse aestheticians also typically need clinical experience to obtain a specialty certification.
People seek cosmetic treatments for a variety of reasons, from acne scars to signs of aging. Cosmetic treatments can help these individuals feel more comfortable in their own skin and be confident at work and in social settings. If you’re interested in a career that empowers individuals, you might want to learn how to become an aesthetic nurse.
The University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program can help you pursue a nursing career faster. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you might qualify to earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing in as few as 16 months. It’s an efficient way to navigate a career transition to the nursing field.
As you consider your nursing career options, you may wish to learn more about what nurse aestheticians do and how long it may take to become one. Additionally, explore the steps involved in switching to a cosmetic nursing career.
Explore your guide to navigating a successful career transition to nursing.
What Is a Cosmetic Nurse?
An aesthetic nurse, also called a cosmetic nurse, is a nurse who blends health science with artistry. They provide cosmetic treatments to patients who are interested in enhancing their appearance. A cosmetic RN can work in settings such as medical spas, dermatology offices, outpatient clinics, and plastic surgery offices.
Some of the most common responsibilities of these types of nurses include the following:
- Reviewing patients’ medical histories and discussing their aesthetic concerns
- Performing personalized skincare consultations and offering guidance based on skin type and skincare concerns
- Administering cosmetic injectables, such as dermal fillers
- Performing laser treatments to address skin imperfections, remove unwanted hair, or remove unwanted tattoos
- Applying chemical peels to resurface the skin
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Specialized Roles for Aesthetic Nurses
Some aesthetic nurses perform a wide range of cosmetic treatments, particularly if they work in smaller practices or offices that offer many different services. Other nurses choose specialized roles, gaining deep expertise in the single treatment they administer. Examples of specialized roles in nursing aesthetics include:
- Nurse injector: A nurse injector specializes in administering injectable cosmetic treatments, such as dermal fillers, fat reduction injections, and purified botulinum toxins.
- Laser therapy nurse: A laser therapy or laser facial nurse administers laser treatments using devices such as CO2 or fractional laser systems to address skin imperfections.
- Laser hair removal nurse: This type of RN performs laser hair removal treatments on areas such as the legs and face.
- Chemical peel nurse: This nurse specializes in applying chemical peels, ranging from light peels to deep peels. They advise patients about their options and provide aftercare instructions.
How to Become an Aesthetic Nurse
Whether you want to be a generalist aesthetic nurse or pursue a specialized role, such as nurse injector, the process of how to become an aesthetic nurse starts with nursing school.
Apply to Nursing School
To start your nursing journey, you must first enroll in an accredited nursing program to earn a degree. If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you can apply to Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program, with no healthcare experience required. You will need to complete three main steps:
- Connect with an admission counselor, ideally with a copy of your unofficial transcripts.
- Complete any needed prerequisites ahead of your target start date.
- Submit your application, along with official transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and an admission essay. Standardized test scores are not required.
Earn a Nursing Degree
Once accepted into a nursing program, you’ll work through a rigorous curriculum. In Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program, the curriculum consists of nursing coursework, labs, and clinical rotations.
In onsite nursing skills labs, you’ll learn to perform essential nursing skills, such as administering injections. During simulation labs, you’ll work in small groups to navigate various clinical situations, from simulated heart attacks to allergic reactions. You’ll learn to apply critical thinking skills and the nursing process to your patient care.
During clinical rotations, which take place at top healthcare facilities in the New York City area, you’ll gain hands-on experience providing patient care alongside preceptors and experienced nurses. You’ll be introduced to a variety of nursing specialties, ranging from adult health to intensive care to long-term care and beyond.
Follow these nursing school study tips while earning your BS in nursing.
Pass the NCLEX-RN and Get Licensed
Your next step to become a cosmetic nurse is to pass the licensure exam. The NCLEX-RN can be challenging, but in the Mount’s ABSN program, you’ll have access to attentive instructors, small class sizes, and Academic Success Coaches for support as you prepare for it. After passing the NCLEX-RN, you can obtain your RN license.
Gain Clinical Experience in Nursing Aesthetics
Nursing education doesn’t stop at graduation. You’ll continue to learn throughout your career, particularly as you look for jobs in plastic surgery practices, dermatology offices, or medical spas. While obtaining clinical experience, you should take the time to learn as much as you can about your nursing specialty, such as by attending nursing aesthetics webinars, continuing education classes, and conferences, and by reading relevant nursing journal articles.
Pursue Specialty Certification
After gaining clinical experience in nursing aesthetics, you might consider pursuing a professional certification, such as the Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) credential. Other options include:
- Certified Plastic Surgery Nurse (CPSN)
- Dermatology Nurse Certified (DNC)
- Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP)
Note that if you would like to become a DCNP, you will first need to become a nurse practitioner who specializes in dermatology. Becoming a nurse practitioner requires a graduate nursing degree, board certification, and additional licensure.
How Long Does It Take to Become an Aesthetic Nurse?
The length of time it takes to become an aesthetic nurse depends in large part on your starting point and your choices. For example, if you don’t yet have any type of bachelor’s degree, you’ll need to enroll in a traditional BS in nursing program, which takes four years.
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you might be eligible to apply to Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program, which can be completed in as few as 16 months following the completion of any needed prerequisites. You can also choose from three start dates per year to get started even faster.
After earning your BS in nursing, you can expect to take the NCLEX-RN within a couple of months. If you pass the licensure exam on your first attempt, you can immediately begin applying to nurse aesthetician jobs.
Salary Expectations and Job Outlook for Nurse Aestheticians
The salary expectations for nurse aestheticians vary depending on factors like geographic location, employer, years of experience, and certifications. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not track data for this particular nursing specialty, it does offer data applicable to all types of RNs. RNs made a median annual salary of $93,600 as of May 2024. The projected job growth rate for RNs will be 5% from 2024 through 2034, faster than average.
Start Building Your Nursing Career at Mount Saint Vincent
With three start dates per year and an accelerated curriculum, Mount Saint Vincent can help you become a registered nurse more quickly than traditional BS in nursing programs. Our school embraces inclusivity and innovation in nursing education, providing extensive student support to facilitate academic progress while focusing on the development of the whole student.
Contact our admission team today to learn more about eligibility and the admission process.