college of medical aesthetics vs license as an esthetician for RNs

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I am a new grad BSN and my career has started me in a derm office doing laser phototherapy and I am enjoying it! I would like to further my education in aesthetics but I'm unsure of what direction to take as far as certification or licensing. There is a college of medical aesthetics in newport, ca that offers an 18 week course that covers all lasers, facials and injectables and you get a certificate, or they offer a 4 day workshop. I am wondering though if getting an esthetician license through Bellus and then becoming licensed for the state board is better? Both directions are expensive and I want to make sure I go the route that will benefit me the most and is legitimate! Any suggestions would be appreciated!

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I am a new grad BSN and my career has started me in a derm office doing laser phototherapy and I am enjoying it! I would like to further my education in aesthetics but I'm unsure of what direction to take as far as certification or licensing. There is a college of medical aesthetics in newport ca that offers an 18 week course that covers all lasers, facials and injectables and you get a certificate, or they offer a 4 day workshop. I am wondering though if getting an esthetician license through Bellus and then becoming licensed for the state board is better? Both directions are expensive and I want to make sure I go the route that will benefit me the most and is legitimate! Any suggestions would be appreciated![/quote']

I'm not a nurse yet but I've worked in Dermatology on the administrative side for more than 10 years. I'm going back to school to do my RN and eventually NP. I personally do not think you need your esthetician license... Unless you want to do facials. That is basically the only thing they do and apply very minimally invasive peels and microdermabrasion. Have you considered going back for your NP license? This would give you more flexibility to do procedures that some doctors would not let RNs do. Depends on the practice though... Some docs will allow RNs to do lasers, injectables, etc. However with your NP license, you could only not only see cosmetic patients but medical patients as well. It would also make you more marketable to doctors who would like you to pretty much manage their Medispa and intervene as little as necessary. Just a thought :) The course that covers injectables and lasers sounds more beneficial in my opinion. Have you asked the doctor what he/she thinks which path you should take?

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When I was in aesthetics school there were a few nurses who were in class with me because the doctor they worked for paid for them to go... I can only assume there is some benefit to it otherwise I don't think the doctors would be paying for it. (cost was about $10,000) I'm not positive though. This was in Arizona by the way.

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When I was in aesthetics school there were a few nurses who were in class with me because the doctor they worked for paid for them to go... I can only assume there is some benefit to it otherwise I don't think the doctors would be paying for it. (cost was about $10000) I'm not positive though. This was in Arizona by the way.[/quote']

Getting an esthetician license and getting a certificate in aesthetics as an RN are two completely different things. At least in California... Are you taking about school to do injectables, lasers, etc? That is different than an esthetician license. Estheticians go to Cosmetology school and are certified to do facials and skin treatments. Not injectables, etc. Nurses who have aesthetics training to do injectables and lasers are not called estheticians.

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It could be because the doctors want them to act as both an esthetician and an RN who does injectables. If it is a small office, I could see how that would benefit the doctor. But just to be clear, estheticians are not certified to do injectables and laser so that's why I'm confused as to why someone would get their esthetician license if injectables and laser was their main goal.

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It was so they could work as both in the office. I just figured that you wouldn't need an aesthetics license to do facials if you were an RN. They were at an aesthetics school getting aesthetics licenses though.

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It was so they could work as both in the office. I just figured that you wouldn't need an aesthetics license to do facials if you were an RN. They were at an aesthetics school getting aesthetics licenses though.

Ahh got it. Now that makes sense :)

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We could add laser training onto the aesthetics training if we wanted to, but for the most part it was all skin care for the board of cosmetology. (obviously giving injections was not an option in aesthetics school) When a nurse does aesthetics training to get a certificate is it just looked at as a specialization but not a separate license? I'm just curious. I wasn't aware nurses had another option and I was always curious what the nurses I was in school with were gaining from getting an aesthetics license :)

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Hi i am in the same exact position as you are and just called that same school a few days ago for some information. Please let me know if you found out more information between the two options. Thank you :)

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I know it has been a while since this threat started but I am wondering if stcutie or ai1een did the certification in CA with the College of Medical Aesthetics. I'd like to get certified in aesthetics and called for some information today but would like to know you opinion about their program in case you attended..Thanks!

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i have seen several threads on this topic and wanted to add the perspective of a physician...

obtaining a license as an esthetician is a plus, but also remember, most physicians/medical spas want to see injection experience.

the courses can be expensive, however, they can be an introduction before getting hired by a physician who is willing to train.

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