Aesthetic advice

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Hi all,

I am in my senior year of RN-BSN school in NJ. I have plans to move to Tampa FL when I graduate in May. My dream is to do aesthetic nursing. I currently have my cosmetology license as well. I am interested in microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, Botox injections, platelet rich plasma therapy, vampire facials, laser removal of spider veins, and so forth. I am looking for advice, on the route to take to practice aesthetic nursing. I am going to apply for Nurse Practitioner school in October for the Dermatology program in FL. However, the program for out of state students is very expensive - $78,000. I was reading some forums where RN-BSNs perform nurse aesthetics, and that their pay can be comparable to a Nurse Practitioner. My question is, is it worth paying the 78 grand to become an NP in Dermatology if all I am interested in is Nurse Aesthetics and skin care? Is the pay of an RN-BSN who performs nurse aesthetics comparable to a NP of nurse aesthetics? Should I just get my masters and get additional schooling in aesthetics? Is there a NP aesthetic school, or is Dermatology NP the correct program to enter? Should I take my nclex in FL? Or can I take it in NJ and then transfer my license to FL? Thanks in advance!

Daniela C.

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Hi all,

I am in my senior year of RN-BSN school in NJ. I have plans to move to Tampa FL when I graduate in May. My dream is to do aesthetic nursing. I currently have my cosmetology license as well. I am interested in microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, Botox injections, platelet rich plasma therapy, vampire facials, laser removal of spider veins, and so forth. I am looking for advice, on the route to take to practice aesthetic nursing. I am going to apply for Nurse Practitioner school in October for the Dermatology program in FL. However, the program for out of state students is very expensive - $78,000. I was reading some forums where RN-BSNs perform nurse aesthetics, and that their pay can be comparable to a Nurse Practitioner. My question is, is it worth paying the 78 grand to become an NP in Dermatology if all I am interested in is Nurse Aesthetics and skin care? Is the pay of an RN-BSN who performs nurse aesthetics comparable to a NP of nurse aesthetics? Should I just get my masters and get additional schooling in aesthetics? Is there a NP aesthetic school, or is Dermatology NP the correct program to enter? Should I take my nclex in FL? Or can I take it in NJ and then transfer my license to FL? Thanks in advance!

Daniela C.

I'm curious, too. Does anyone make any money doing this? I know a few nurses who've tried it and come running back to their "day jobs" because it was heavy in sales and unreliable ...and this is in Los Angeles.

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I have looked at job postings in FL and have read that nurses are paid both salary and commission. I am trying to meet with NPs or aesthetic nurses who are willing to educate me on their journey, but no one has been willing to give me their time unfortunately.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
I have looked at job postings in FL and have read that nurses are paid both salary and commission. I am trying to meet with NPs or aesthetic nurses who are willing to educate me on their journey, but no one has been willing to give me their time unfortunately.

That's likely because it's a rare & competitive position. Hard to achieve.

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Specializes in Neurology, Psychology, Family medicine.

OP, what "Dermatology school" are you talking about. There is none in Florida. The only true dermatology for NP in the country is lahey, and that's a residency post graduation. All others you have seen are outdated, promise there is no derm np program. If the school your talking about is the one with "signature residencies" that no longer is a thing. So be cautious moving across the country for programs that don't exist; word to the wise.

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Specializes in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

I have known RNs who went on to get an aesthetician's license and are "practicing". Most work in salon's, some work in various doctor's offices (not necessarily a dermatology one), and some have their own sites. In Florida, if I understand the rules correctly, one must have an aesthetician's license unless working under the direct supervision of an in-house physician (the provider MUST be on premises). Hope this helps.

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University of South Florida offers a DNP that provides an opportunity for a derm practicuum. If you really want to do aesthetics, try to get derm or aesthetics clinical rotations. You can offer to find your own preceptor if necessary.

Lahey, in Mass, does offer a derm NP residency.

You can get a Derm Certification once you are an NP.

I have never heard of an aesthetics NP school. And derm would be the way to go - how can you do aesthetics w/o a good understanding of derm?

I have heard a lot of stories about RNs and NPs who want to do aesthetics and derm, but found it very competitive and many did not make much $. However, if you can make it in derm, then there is a huge potential payday. Some derm NPs do make $500K a year, but it appears extremely difficult to achieve this. (I did read this, but can't find the article. I think you would have to be able to set up your own practice or work for a very busy dermatology/cosmetic practice and do a lot of procedures)

RNs can specialize in aesthetics and/or derm after nursing school. There is an RN that runs her own clinic in Calif (if it's not this one, then I have seen others):

Brittany Haley, RN, BSN - La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre

Here is some info:

NEW! Getting Started in Medical Aesthetics

Home | National Academy of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners | Tampa, Florida

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