how to become an aesthetic nurse

I am so excited that I found this thread!! I have been looking into this for about a month or so and this has been the most help yet. I just recently learned that RN's could do procedures like this (guess I have been under a rock) and I plan on making this my new adventure. Isn't nursing great.... If you get tired of one aspect of it you can just find something new and exciting to move in to. I am an ICU nurse and am getting really burned out of the whole hospital scene. It's depressing. I would love to here some input from you guys... it seems like this thread has kind of slowed down though. Well if anybody's out there it would be great to here how things are going.

And to bluemoon06, I here through the grape vine that it is very easy to find this type of work for nurses in CA. Good luck!

Thanks,
Megan

Hi, i have been a 2yr nurse in the ED and live in florida and have been wanting to break into the aesthetic field, but when i search for medspa RN positions or aesthtics job openings i don't get much back, and before putting my eggs in one carton, i want to assure myself of how i can search for job opening in plastic surgeon jobs what do u suggest???

I was just wondering if any of you ever looked into a franchise opportunities for MedSpas and if, how lucrative this would be?

I was wondering how to get started. I am a NICU nurse interested in cosmetic derm.

If you consider all certifications for nursing offered by our national nursing assoc. thru ANCC one must always have work hours in to sit for the certification. This is more the training it shows practice in the field on top of the training. I took my courses in CA over a year ago and yes they gave me a certificate of training by the AMEN testing offers being certified after sitting for the exam. One can still go to course offered by AMEN just not sit for the exam to be certified until after experience is obtained.
I struggled finding a position after my training as MD's look to nurses doing this as out of scope although injections peels IPL's and even some lasers under the jurisdiction of a Medical Director is well within the scope in most states. AMEN is also working to change laws and pave the road for nurses to practice esthetics in all states.
I currently work for a medspa with commission and salary average about $30/hr. we have only been open for 1 year and at times I am very busy but overall things could be busier. Think it is a combination of slow economy and conservative Midwest.
If in fact one goes to the seminars offered in CA, FL etc this is only the beginning one must aquire experience and do esp. the dermal fillers and lasers with some sort of preceptorship and this is hard and can be expensive to find this opportunity. I love doing esthetic nurses but it is my 2nd job and right now could not make a living at doing this if it was my only job. Supporting AMEN I feel is a way to help make the road for RN's in this field a bit easier.

What state do you live in? I can't even get my state nursing board to give me any information on the subject! Thanks!

As im reading each post on this thread I want to respond & give helpful advice that will benefit you professional and financially in your quest to get into the aesthetic side of medicine!

Instead I will simply begin by stating a couple things (and later be happy to keep answering the other questions).
* Paying for aesthetic training on lasers & actual cosmetology type procedures is the wrong focus for an RN! Once employeed, training will be provided on lasers & equipment by the manufacturer or your employer. The only type of training that would even benefit you before getting your first aesthetic med position, is possibly injectables. Which if you are an experienced RN & have a knack for the needle.. this will be a breeze. Contacting the manufurer of these injectables to seek treatment is a great source. Allergan (maker of botox) is based in SoCal but has offices throughout the U.S.
*Before deciding to BE YOUR OWN BOSS with a medspa set up, first gain experience by working at one - hands on training/experience is the best way. If unsure of the BUSINESS aspect, hiring a consultant to assist you in developing your new business is not a bad idea!
*Each State has different regulations when it comes to aesthetics and what is "medical" and who can do what. You, as an RN, want to stick with the MEDICAL (more $$) portion of this industry as opposed to becoming aestheticians or learning how to do $50 facials and applying makeup!!! YOUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ALREADY - LETS NOT HAVE YOU DOWNGRADE WHEN YOU HAVE THE LICENSE ALREADY TO DO THE MORE PROFITABLE PROCEDURES!!
* An RN inexperienced in aesthetic medical procedures that can SELL me on her self during an interview, will be the one that Im confident will be able to promote and sell the clinics treatments, not just do them! Youre an RN, so a hiring manager know's youre capable of treating their patients safely after training... BUT CAN YOU SELL WHAT YOUR ADMINISTERING? Its a key skill that alot of you are overlooking and what will be the difference in your future success in Aesthetic medicine. So if youre confident to go into an interview with no formal aesthetic training, no actual aesthetic experience, yet you KNOW you are perfect to do these procedures and you want everyone to have them done!!!! Then youre more qualified than the person who went to a class to learn about facials and a good company or clinic will hire you - AS IS!! AS AN EXPERIENCED RN - NOT AESTHETICIAN!

I could go on and on ... lol

I've interviewed plenty of nurses for these positions some of you seek and I've consultanted and trained many who have branched out on their own. I truely wish you all well...
and the best advice i can give in general is for you to be COST affective with your sesires for "training on procedures" . Alot get it for free so you spending your money on it and not having much left over for your marketing needs - THAT IS A BIG MISTAKE when opening your own.
For those who simply seek employment - GO APPLY WITH CONFIDENCE
Those starting their own company - hire a consultant, even if just for a day as opposed to fully (to keep cost down) and get the info you need to start RIGHT! Its a competitive business, you dont want to fail before you've even begun.

I'LL BE BACK SOON TO ANSWER MORE QUESTIONS.
In the meantime, you can find info on your state's government, commerce or health department webpage on legalities.
Another no cost source is the manufacturers you are buying your equipment from!! They're very helpful before & during the potential sales process ;-) And if they really like you they'll get you in touch with the right info and people. Note: ive done pro-bono consulting after reps begged me to help their customers whom they felt were not going to succeed due to lack of knowledge.
So use them, especially if you're gonna buy things from them.

If you really dont know where to tart, just let me know where youre looking to work, what your questions are and i'll do my best to point you in the right, least costly direction.

Have a grea day.

OH, JUST IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING:
** My current career (that i'll be putting on pause to seek a nursing degree this fall) is as a national Medical Aesthetic Management Consultant, specializing in medical business development, training, marketing, support and consultative sales training.

I do medical/legal work but want to get into doing facials and other procedures. I live here in Los Angeles. Any help as to where I can train? Do manufacturers of products train RNs? What does the BRN require re: licensing? nancy

nancy,
youre currently an RN?
have u thought about applying at a medspa?
perhaps maybe just part time?
some of the big ones will train you.
ive done some work with two of the large ones out there in Cali, i can
give you some inside tips on them if you want to apply to either one of them.
let me know.

Yes, I am a registered nurse and would be willing to work part time for anyone who is willing to train me. If you have contacts you would like to share, please do.

I would also be interested in learning how to use my medical/legal training in a consulting capacity if you can direct me. Anyway, thanks for responding.