how to become an aesthetic nurse

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 malpractice insurance 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;))

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.

http://www.touchofclasscatalog.com/j...ID=2746&KICKER

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

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.

Anyone know what the laws are in Pennsylvania?

The best and only way I know of to get the information regarding the laws in any state is to call the state, department of nursing, and speak with someone about the laws. Ask them to direct you to their website, which will list their respective laws in writing. Just ask them directly "I am a nurse, can I perform aesthetic procedures in this state without a physician? If so, which procedures? Then, find it in writing. You wouldn't want to trust one person's verbal advice this much! Some states allow for an NP to practice aesthetic medicine independently (among them Washington, Arizona, New Mexico). Some states allow RN's to perform aesthetic procedures only if a physician is present--these procedures are usually limited in scope. Other facilities will allow an RN to perform extremely limited procedures if they have a medical director physician who is not ever or seldom present at the facility. So, you see, it can really vary. Finally, an insurance agency working with people all over the US to insure aesthetic procedures will also be well versed in what can/can't happen in the various states.

Re what the laws are from state to state: Don't just check nursing boards. In FL the nursing board is real vague about nurses doing cosmetic injectibles (which is fine) but the Board of Medicine, which regulates doctors, directly outlaws it. So to find a medical director is impossible. You are trying to find someone who goes directly against their governing board.
You all need to read the aesthetic nursing thread started up above by NurseKimberly to read more about what others are doing. I tell about my experience with aesthetic nursing and it's not good.

You all need to check out AMEN- Association for Medical Esthetic Nurses a n on-profit national org at www.amen-usa.org
Dee