Psych NP for medspa?

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Hi, all! I'm considering going back to school for my NP. I own a medspa and am trying to reduce the need for my Medical Director. No plans to work at a hospital, just make it more convenient for me at my business. I only want the autonomy so that I can prescribe and assess patients without the MD needing to do an initial exam for every patient. If my medical director wins the lottery and decides to leave, I'd like to do it myself. I was thinking that a Psych NP would work, but I don't know if they can write orders and prescribe weight loss meds and other aesthetic related meds (injectables and the like) versus solely doing psych meds. I don't like peds so I'd rather skip that rotation if possible (so no FNP). A few FNP friends suggested Psych NP or Adult Geriatrics NP. I would do Women's Health, but I treat men at the medspa as well, and I need to be able to write scripts for men and women. Can Psych NPs work at medspas or should I pursue a different NP? All advice welcome!

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Specializes in Occupational Health.

Curious as to what state you're in since most states require medspas to be physician owned or owned by a physician corporation

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My future goal is to be a Dermatology NP as well as own a Medspa. I'm currently enrolled in an AGNP program as I don't plan on seeing any patients less than 13 years of age on the Dermatology side and then mainly acne issues. I think that would be your best bet as the AGNP is for ages 13 years and up.

1 hour ago, sleepwalker said:

Curious as to what state you're in since most states require medspas to be physician owned or owned by a physician corporation

In states where NPs have full practice authority, an NP can own a Medspa without MD intervention.

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
13 hours ago, 3TimesACharm said:

Can Psych NPs work at medspas or should I pursue a different NP? All advice welcome!

Psych NPs have absolutely nothing to do with medspa. I wonder how you come up with that association.

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Specializes in Occupational Health.
On 2/14/2020 at 10:41 AM, DermNP2Be said:

My future goal is to be a Dermatology NP as well as own a Medspa. I'm currently enrolled in an AGNP program as I don't plan on seeing any patients less than 13 years of age on the Dermatology side and then mainly acne issues. I think that would be your best bet as the AGNP is for ages 13 years and up.

In states where NPs have full practice authority, an NP can own a Medspa without MD intervention.

OP is not an NP...thus the question what State allows ownership by non-physician or non-physician provider

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

PMHNPs are limited in scope of practice to psychiatric/mental health issues. Prescribing weight loss medication and aesthetic related injections would be out of scope of practice and could result in loss of license and credentials to practice. I'd recommend a different specialty if this is what you are interested in doing - probably adult-geri NP? But I'm not sure.

As far as owning a medical-spa and running one as medical director - this will depend on your state regulations. Independent practice states an NP may own/run their own clinics - however I do not know if a medical spa falls under the same regulation as a primary care or private-practice mental health clinic and thus urge you to research the laws in your area / prospective areas of employment.

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On 2/17/2020 at 8:02 AM, sleepwalker said:

OP is not an NP...thus the question what State allows ownership by non-physician or non-physician provider

I guess I was responding to the very first sentence she wrote where she states that she is considering going back for an NP (which is a non-physician/non-physician provider). I took that to mean that she was wanting to be an NP to reduce the need for MD intervention so I was merely stating that that could be a viable option depending on the state she's in. I really don't understand this forum sometimes...So much snippiness at times...

On 2/13/2020 at 10:59 PM, 3TimesACharm said:

Hi, all! I'm considering going back to school for my NP. I own a medspa and am trying to reduce the need for my Medical Director.

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@Sleepwalker- so sorry, I just re-read your post & I misunderstood! I see what you were asking now. Yes, I wonder that too...I just thought about it & I don't think a non-physician provider who's not an NP can own a medspa in any state. Sorry again, I need to read better lol.

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On 2/14/2020 at 8:53 AM, sleepwalker said:

Curious as to what state you're in since most states require medspas to be physician owned or owned by a physician corporation

I'm in Georgia. The "physician corporation" legalities have been addressed. Thanks for asking.

On 2/14/2020 at 10:41 AM, DermNP2Be said:

My future goal is to be a Dermatology NP as well as own a Medspa. I'm currently enrolled in an AGNP program as I don't plan on seeing any patients less than 13 years of age on the Dermatology side and then mainly acne issues. I think that would be your best bet as the AGNP is for ages 13 years and up.

In states where NPs have full practice authority, an NP can own a Medspa without MD intervention.

That's what I figured I'd have to do. (AGNP) Thanks for your feedback! ?

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On 2/14/2020 at 2:01 PM, umbdude said:

Psych NPs have absolutely nothing to do with medspa. I wonder how you come up with that association.

If you read my post, you would see the association that I was making. Have a great day!

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On 2/17/2020 at 3:36 PM, verene said:

PMHNPs are limited in scope of practice to psychiatric/mental health issues. Prescribing weight loss medication and aesthetic related injections would be out of scope of practice and could result in loss of license and credentials to practice. I'd recommend a different specialty if this is what you are interested in doing - probably adult-geri NP? But I'm not sure.

This is EXACTLY the answer I was seeking! You have been incredibly helpful! If prescribing the medspa-related meds is out of scope of practice, then I will pursue another route. Thank you so much! ?

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On 2/18/2020 at 10:26 AM, DermNP2Be said:

@Sleepwalker- so sorry, I just re-read your post & I misunderstood! I see what you were asking now. Yes, I wonder that too...I just thought about it & I don't think a non-physician provider who's not an NP can own a medspa in any state. Sorry again, I need to read better lol.

If the non-physician and physician create an MSO (medical services organization), and the state allows a non-physician to own a medspa, as is allowed in my state (Georgia), then this is completely legal. I have consulted with attorneys that specialize in this matter. Thanks for your comment!

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