Aesthetics Nursing

Specialties Aesthetics

Published

Hi all--

I am really interested in the medical aesthetics thing--botox, stuff like that. Anybody know where I can get trained? I live in Colorado, by the way.

THANKS :p

Very interesting discussion! I am also getting into aesthetics but from the physician standpoint. I am an internist (sorry, I know it's a nursing forum) and feel that there is much common ground in what we are all trying to do. After taking the Restylane course with Aesthetic Enhancement Institute (excellent) I have started to integrate it into my general medical practice. Would love to hear from anyone if you have any thoughts on win-win collaborations between RN/NPs and MDs. Finally, I think it's great that you all are going for a piece of the aesthetic market. Obviously, you don't have to be a plastic surgeon or dermatologist to do these things.

Please check with your malpractice carrier before you do anything, you may find that you are not covered with the insurance that you do have.

Yes, that's a good point. Also, for those RN's who have gotton aesthetic license, there are some really gray areas regarding microdermabrasion and epidermal leveling. State Board of Nursing couldn't really give me a straight answer when it came to the epidermal leveling. Yet non nurses could do it under their aesthetics license, no problem.

Seems like this field is so new for nurses that State Board hasn't had a chance to catch up with it's rulings. And it is different in each state.

So, yes, check malpractice and call State Board before doing anything. Don't just assume that it's ok.

Have you thought of the advantages/disadvantages of hiring RN vs. NP/PA

into your practice, and which would be more cost effective and beneficial to your aesthetic practice in the long run as it grows?

I'm fairly new to private practice and hiring in general but my preference would be towards an NP/PA. I don't know the NJ laws as far as what each can or cannot do but the additional training might protect my investment should the laws ever change. On the other hand, I'm a strong believer that the best person should get the job regardless of the letters after the name. Hopefully, my aesthetics practice does grow to the point of needing to hire someone and I can then do more research on that question.

If I were approached by an entrepreneur willing to undertake much of the risk in opening and financing a Medical Spa, the degree wouldn't matter as much as the business plan and level of personal exposure to loss.

Yes, I suppose "know how" goes a long way despite which letters one has after their name. I feel it's important to surround yourself with people who share a common goal and have the experience and/or willingness and drive to make the business flourish. That may be how win-win collaborations can exists between RN/NP and MD's. Everyone gets a piece of the pie, just in different proportions. Certainly would cut back on the competition. But MD's would have to be fair in cutting the pie. That's the trick.

I worked for a Dermatologist for three years. This was about ten years ago before medical aesthetics became popular. No one could figure out why he only hired RN's. Turns out he could see the future coming and wanted to be prepared to gradually transition his practice into that specialty. He did just that and now is extremely successful. Had the jump on everyone in his area. He promoted synergy in the office environment, not competition.

If everyone's happy, business booms.

I would love to see less competition in the medical field and more "working together" towards a common goal.

Specializes in Gyn, dermatology, aesthetics, wellness.

I also work for a dermatologist who wants just RN's although she doesn't do many cosmetic procedures and doesn't attend to at least not to my knowledge. Unfortunately, she wants to use RN's but wants to pay them Medical Assistant wages. I'm getting paid poorly but don't want to quit because I feel it gives me experience and keeps me updated in that area. And that's important since I have my own aesthetic business on the side. I like to be able to tell my clients that I also work in a dermatology office. They seem to gain confidence in me quickly when I tell them that. Also, the dermatologist doesn't sound too crazy about me doing aesthetic procedures on my own. She did chemical peels several years ago in her office, but then it made her too high to the point that it wasn't worth it for her to do them anymore. Now she discourages chemical peels when her patients bring up the idea of getting them done somewhere else. She tells them they don't work well and no one knows the long term effects. Interesting huh.

On another note, have any of you aesthetic nurses ever written letters to dermatologists in your area to introduce yourself and let them know about your business so they could possibly refer their patients to you? (I was thinking this could work for dermatologists that don't already do aesthetic procedures). My thinking is that, if their patient's are going to get aesthetic procedures done somewhere, they would feel more confident recommending an aesthetic nurse instead of an esthetician.

MHarrah,

It's doctors like her who make RNs want to start their own business. She sounds like a "user". Crappy wages. Ugh! That's a slap in the face, unless you are just there for the experience and eventually move on to do your own thing. Her telling patients that peels don't work is lame. Does she really believe that. Doesn't sound like it. She just wants them to keep coming to her and collect their copay and push topicals(she gets the percs from the drug companies). The old "mill".

As far as contacting dermatologists hoping they would refer patient to an outside source for their peels etc. I would try offering the doctor a free tour and treatment of your facility so they could decide for themselves whether you are credible enough to refer their patients to. After all, if their patients are not pleased for some reason that would reflect back on them.

Yeah, sounds good if you tell someone you work for a Dermatologist, but don't under estimate yourself as an RN. Patients love nurses! And they trust us, probably more than MD's. We are the ultimate patient advocates from the heart. (Nothing personal Ebben_s;))

Specializes in Gyn, dermatology, aesthetics, wellness.

Thank you, periwinkle, for your support and encouragement. I do hope to break away from that environment soon.

I would like to get advice from you all about making my clinic (the one I own, not the derm office) look more attractive without spending a fortune. My clinic is located in an old strip mall type of building. It has it's good and bad features. The good is that it is close to the road with visible access and has a place to put a nice sign when I get the money to buy a sign. right now I have a hand made sign there since I couldn't afford one. It also has a nice large window that is almost the length of the front of the clinic, and people can see inside. the bad part is that the building is old and run down in general. I have found that covering things up is the best thing to do right now. Like using large rugs on the floors. The bathroom is the worst part. The sink is old and nasty, and I don't know if there is any way to make it look better. The floor in the bathroom is uneven. Any ideas on how to fix up and old place for cheap? I'm there for now because my dad owns the place, and rent is free. Had to start somewhere. I was thinking maybe a thick rug in the bathroom may hide the uneven floor? and how about a lacy curtain or something to cover the exit door that is sooo ugly that we never use? I'm still lost about what to do with the sink. I don't know of any type of covering you can put over a sink. lol.

MHarrah,

That's fantastic that your rent is free. What an opportunity! As far as fixing the place up and hiding the ugly parts. Just think of it as one of those Hollywood sets that they put together for filming. Decide on the personality of the room you want to create first. Tuscany, Zen, Nature, Roman, etc. I guess you already have your equipment, but think of placement.

Paint can cover a multitude of sins, but matte finish and soft colors. Pick a color scheme. Mochas, browns. Blues. Relaxing colors, read a book on color therapy. If you can't draw, then there are stensils or other ways to trim. You can use draperies to cover and accent a wall. Thrift shops, discount material stores. yard sales, can find all kinds of stuff. Used curtain rods and some material draping can do and is easy. You can cover a whole wall with curtains to soften the room.

Bathroom floor. I would stay away from rug, not sanitary. If your dad's handy he can put a piece of plywood down more evenly and put some stick on tiles on top.

Window, not good that you can look in yikes! Curtains. If you want the natural light, just leave the top part of window exposed, so no one can look in.

Sink. If bottom cabinet is the problem, cover with material like a curtain. If it is the actual bowl, hmm, go to home depot and ask someone about improving the finish of the bowl. You didn't describe it in detail.??

Don't make clutter. Keep it simple and accessorize with clean lines, simple things like candles set in stones inside of a simple bowl. All this stuff you can get at a dollar store. A water element, maybe a small electric fountain. Look in thrift shops, people get rid of them alot. Remember the five elements fire(candles), earth(a plant), metal(anything metal), water(the fountain), and wood(anything made of wood). Include these in your decor.

Don't forget the ceiling! That's what clients see when their on their backs getting treatments :)

If you need to hide something or partition off a space you can get one of those clothing racks on wheels and cover it with material, like a shower curtain type deal and it's moveable. Like for the exit door.

You dont' live in AZ do you?? If you did, I'd come over and help you.

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Hi:

Regarding fixing up your place....with some creativity, you can end up with a much cozier, neater feel than the newer, glitzy strip malls!! You need not spend a lot of money, just like Periwinkles is saying--be creative!

Now, for your sink: There is a product out there to refinish chipped bathtubs and sinks. You can find it at Home Depot. Just ask them! You basically spray on a new coating of glaze. A friend of mine did it to a bathtub, and you'd never know this now white tub used to be pink!!

Get some books from the library on decorated cottage style or "shabby chic", for ideas on how to bring out the unique features of your place. Use live plants!! They bring an ambience and energy to a room that cannot be duplicated with any other material. Nature makes everyone feel good and connected.

A small salon I go to (in an old rundown shopping mall) is fixed up really cute. She ripped the formica and other old junk off the wall, and got some plaster at Home Depot. She then used a trowel and put it on sorta unevenly. Then she painted it a soothing, canary yellow. It has a nItalian fresco feel with its uneven, hand crafted appearance. The black picture frames she hung seem to "pop" against this warm yellow color. Best of all, plaster is cheap!!

Have fun! Let us know how you're project is going!

Tracey

Specializes in ER, Flight, ICU.

Does anyone have any info on what Montana allows for RN's giving Botox injections, Dermal Fillers, etc, or having an aesthetic spa/clinic? I travel back and forth between Montana and Arizona, and my impression is that Arizona is, hands down, far more Progressive as far as Nursing Scope of Practice.

Specializes in NICU, L&D, Post Partum.

Steph,

Can you tell me a little more about Aesthetics Nursing. Such as how long does it take to become certified, how much does it cost, and what type of salary can I look forward to...I'm currently in L&D working night shift, but I want a life now, especially with my girls being 9 and 11. Any information you can give me is well appreciated.

Thank you,

Christine

Anyone know what the laws are in Pennsylvania?

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