New grad RN in med-spa

Specialties Ambulatory

Published

Hi all,

I've been training for a couple of weeks at a small med-spa in southern California as a laser RN. I'm also being trained to do chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and perform skin consultations. My training period is unpaid but I'm going to start out part-time at $25/hr or 20% commission. This is my first RN gig and it's nothing like what I imagined myself doing (would have loved to do med-surg), but it's very low-stress, flexible, and I like my co-workers and learning something new/non-traditional nursing. However I won't receive any benefits and since it's a small clinic I can see myself having to pick up extra tasks here and there. My biggest concern is that this job will limit my career choices down the line as it isn't acute care and very soon I won't be considered a "new grad" anymore. I'm still applying to hospital jobs and even SNFs but it's been pretty tough to land an interview at most because I don't have previous work experience. Well I have two questions for you guys...

1. What do you think are the chances of a laser RN landing an acute-care hospital job after 1 or more years of experience in aesthetics?

2. I've already read previous/older threads on the subject, but I'd like to know what you guys currently think of new grads working at med-spas... worth replacing a hospital new grad program in this economy or not?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

may i ask, was it easy to find a job in this setting as a new RN grad? Its something I want to do down the line when I graduate (work in a cosmetic plastic surgeon's office, or medispa) with my BSN. What process did you go through to find this position? I want to find a job that also trains me for this procedures so I don't have to spend the extra money out of pocket. Thanks for the assistance!

Sorry I couldn't help specifically regarding your concerns yet since I haven't graduated. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
hi all,

i've been training for a couple of weeks at a small med-spa in southern california as a laser rn. i'm also being trained to do chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and perform skin consultations. my training period is unpaid but i'm going to start out part-time at $25/hr or 20% commission. this is my first rn gig and it's nothing like what i imagined myself doing (would have loved to do med-surg), but it's very low-stress, flexible, and i like my co-workers and learning something new/non-traditional nursing. however i won't receive any benefits and since it's a small clinic i can see myself having to pick up extra tasks here and there. my biggest concern is that this job will limit my career choices down the line as it isn't acute care and very soon i won't be considered a "new grad" anymore. i'm still applying to hospital jobs and even snfs but it's been pretty tough to land an interview at most because i don't have previous work experience. well i have two questions for you guys...

1. what do you think are the chances of a laser rn landing an acute-care hospital job after 1 or more years of experience in aesthetics?

not any better than your chances as a new grad ... and unfortunately possibly tougher if you encounter hiring managers with preconceived notions about your commitment to a 24/7 schedule in a hospital after having had a m-f office job. i'm not saying it's right ... just that it is a possibility.

2. i've already read previous/older threads on the subject, but i'd like to know what you guys currently think of new grads working at med-spas... worth replacing a hospital new grad program in this economy or not?

i don't think you can equate your current experience with inpatient care in a hospital. if you keep this job, latch on to another nurse there and be very, very dedicated to honing your assessment skills, to look for developing complications of your treatments.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the responses!

danceluver - I honestly just got lucky and the timing was right. One day I got frustrated applying to hospital positions so I decided to try clinics, big and small, around my area. I emailed my resume and a short cover letter to this particular med-spa and they responded right away to set up an interview with me. Later on, one of the RNs told me that the management had recently changed and they were looking for more RNs to train; I just happened to apply at the right moment. I'm also lucky that the RNs are training me, but it does help to get your esthetician certification.

Altra - I've thought about the whole preconceived notion thing about med-spa RNs... really conflicted between that thought and taking whatever job I can get in this economy... I suppose I could at least say that I'm doing something with my RN licence rather than nothing. I can still think of a few nursing skills I could highlight (focused assessment, data collection, pt teaching, follow-up care, multi-tasking, organization...)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I want to find a job that also trains me for this procedures so I don't have to spend the extra money out of pocket. Thanks for the assistance!

If you got a job in aesthetics, doing those procedures on yourself wouldn't readily be an option.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
if you got a job in aesthetics, doing those procedures on yourself wouldn't readily be an option.

why not? i know plenty of people that do procedures on themselves. but also plenty more that trade procedures with co-workers.

vespertinas don't jump to conclusions and read into the post, remember nclex and not to put stuff in there that is not there. the poster said "

[color=#333333]i want to find a job that also trains me for this procedures so i don't have to spend the extra money out of pocket." she never mentioned doing procedures on herself. that could very well mean knowing the procedures for swaping purposes.

but either way swaping or doing the procedures on herself are both options.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I know people who do procedures on themselves too but they own their medispa, they're not new grad RNs who got a job at one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
i know people who do procedures on themselves too but they own their medispa, they're not new grad rns who got a job at one.

again you are reading into things that are not there. she didn't say that she wanted to do the procedures on herself straight away.

i know many people that do procedures on them selves and none of them own the medi spa but work in one.

i have the same goal as the poster. she posted "

[color=#333333]i want to find a job that also trains me for this procedures so i don't have to spend the extra money out of pocket"

but for me that means doing trades with others. personally i would rather not do certain things on myself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think my comment has been totally misunderstood, LOL!! I didn't mean I wanted to do procedures on myself, haha....just if I would be able to be trained to be able to perform these procedures for clients/patients with on otj or have someone else foot the bill (ie practice) who would bring in people to train me rather than I needing to find a training program on my own. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I think my comment has been totally misunderstood, LOL!! I didn't mean I wanted to do procedures on myself, haha....just if I would be able to be trained to be able to perform these procedures for clients/patients with on otj or have someone else foot the bill (ie practice) who would bring in people to train me rather than I needing to find a training program on my own. :)
Yeah that's what I understood you to mean lol. The two RNs working with me recommended the 4-day course offered by Medical Aesthetic Training of California http://www.camedtraining.com/ their location is Newport Beach. But in my case it wasn't necessary to have a formal training because they offered to train me in everything I'll be required to do. The only downside is I have to bring my own clients while training (so it's less likely they'll sue if I screw up lol *knock on wood*) because having no certification creates a big trust barrier with their regular client base. I want to eventually do the 4-day course and get certified but it's so darn expensive... Talking about $$$$.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Hello,

I will try to address the first question the OP asked:

"1. What do you think are the chances of a laser RN landing an acute-care hospital job after 1 or more years of experience in aesthetics?"

I wanna be honest with you here. Due to current economic conditions, we are seeing its increasingly difficult to move from non-traditional to traditional (and vice versa). This is because experience is playing premium role rather than schooling.

Let me say this. I think you got lucky and you should run with it. I can't tell you how many med/surg or ICU nurses I have meet who would love to move into aesthetics but don't even know where to start or have tried and not single person responded back. Learn the heck out of your job and build your clientele. In few years you might have people working for you :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hyperbaric Medicine and Wound Care.

I worked in a private hyperbaric clinic in Beverly Hills for about a year. Mostly post cosmetic surgery stuff but also ALOT of botched "medispa" procedures done by non-qualified/under-qualified RN's. My ex-wife is a licensed Esthetician/LVN so I have seen first hand a truly qualified medispa nurse at work. My advice to you would be to devote yourself to becoming a LICENSED Esthetician on top of your RN so that you have a more thorough understanding of what you are doing to your clients. I am not trying to sound condescending. I just wouldn't let you anywhere near me or anyone that I know personally.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment