Aesthetic Nursing

pett · Feb 10, 2008

Hi, I'm new to the site.
I'm a New Grad from Vancouver, BC working in the OR right now. I'm really intrested in working as a nurse in a medical spa environment. Does anyone know if the Dr.'s pay for your course (ie, laser, microdermabrasion, etc) if they were to hire you? Can anyone explain how the progress of being an aesthetic nurse goes? Thanks a lot!
Hi Jen. I am also new to the site. Actually I wonder if is aesthetic nursing in demand in Canada? I'm a registered nurse in the Philippines. I worked in a skin clinic for almost 6 years now and I've been exposed to different procedures in aesthetic treatments. I'm wondering if I could use this experience when I get to Vancouver B.C. because I'll be moving out soon as an immigrant. Is this field in demand in Canada right now?

Fiona59 · Feb 10, 2008

I've seen a few spa type facilites out here have ads for staff. They don't go into much detail, usually asks for "experienced" nurses, stresses the great hours and reduced rates for services and "will train the right applicant".

Kind of scary from the consumers point of view, interesting from the nurses...

pett · Feb 11, 2008

I've seen a few spa type facilites out here have ads for staff. They don't go into much detail, usually asks for "experienced" nurses, stresses the great hours and reduced rates for services and "will train the right applicant".
Kind of scary from the consumers point of view, interesting from the nurses...

Hi Fiona, Thanks so much for the info.

healthyhere · May 2, 2008

Actually, the best training IS one recieved after being hired!

It's not "scary"... youre an RN! Youre a medical professional with the background needed to easily learn how to administer these procedures safely.

Most large med spa company's have an "in house" training program, as do alot of smaller ones simply to makes sure that their staff treats their patients according to THEIR protocol --- NOT how you learned at another place which may contradict their standards.

ive posted on this subject on a couple other threads.. so please search "aesthetic" on this site and check out the other threads. you'll find it useful.

lastly if you need any advice, i'd be happy to assist (as i am qualified to do so - no worried :specs: )

pickles27 · Feb 12, 2011

I am currently employed as a nurse in a Laser Clinic in Ontario. I am just wondering what is the chance of career advancement in this field of nursing.

lilaclover · Feb 15, 2011

Hi there!

I am a LPN here in Vancouver and was recently working in a medical spa here in the city. The place I worked at employed 3 LPN's, 1 RN and 1 esthetician. We all did the exact same job. I worked at this medical spa for about 8 months after I first moved here thinking it would be something I would be interested in and would possibly like to make a career out of. The Dr. running the clinic and the other nurses trained me how to do, microdermabrasions, laser hair removal, laser tattoo removal, laser facials, spider vein treatments, ultrashape , and velashape treatments. After a few weeks I was preforming all of these treatments independently as well as assisting the Dr. with botox, fillers and mole removals.

It all sounds quite fun and glamorous, I was soooo excited to be doing this job at first. HOWEVER the pay is TERRIBLE. I know money isn't everything but we were only making $17 an hour (Including the RN), there were no benefits, ZERO paid sick days, very few vacation days. Even that I maybe could have tolerated but after working in professional environments with unions such as hospitals and care facilities, this place was extremely unprofessional. We were treated with absolutely no respect or acknowledgement for the fact that we were nurses. Plus the Dr and his wife running the place were absolutely crazy and abused the staff and would not hesitate to call you any name in the book. Not to mention the whole focus is no longer about helping people its all about making money for the business, so they really push you to be a sales person and recommend things to people that may not even be the best treatment for them just to make money (you dont even get a commission).

Anyway I got tired of all this and got a job at the hospital, I have never been so happy to be doing pt. care again.

pickles27 · Feb 15, 2011

Hi. Thanks Lilaclover for sharing your experience. I just started my job here in the clinic and so far they are treating me as a professional. But you are right no benefits, no sick days, and it is really hard to get a vacation since there are only few people working in the facility. The nice thing though is you do not work in shifts, but I kinda miss that too. Lets see how it goes from here. Thanks so much!

lilaclover · Feb 16, 2011

Hi. Thanks Lilaclover for sharing your experience. I just started my job here in the clinic and so far they are treating me as a professional. But you are right no benefits, no sick days, and it is really hard to get a vacation since there are only few people working in the facility. The nice thing though is you do not work in shifts, but I kinda miss that too. Lets see how it goes from here. Thanks so much!

Is it in Surrey?

OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN · Feb 16, 2011

Lilaclover, that sounds just like an office I worked in on West Broadway in the late 90's. I was a secretary at the time though, not a nurse.

pickles27 · Feb 16, 2011

Is it in Surrey?

No, it is somewhere here in GTA.

sophie0329 · Jul 15, 2011

I live here in BC and I'd love to work in a Medical spa. How do you suggest I apply? There are no "careers" sections in most of the websites, so do I drop by and just hand in my application? thanks for any help