Psych NP for medspa?

[3TimesACharm]

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!

[ArborVitae]

Hi, I work as an injector at a Medspa, my 2 cents would be to get your FNP rather than Psych as you'll get a bit more experience with hormones and general dermatology if you ever wanted to expand your esthetics practice. The programs between psych and family are similar in length. I just finished my FNP program with Herzing, I'm going to be expanding my scope to hormone replacement therapy and weight loss in our clinic.

[mselle.bsn]

Probably.... If the patient is diagnosed with an eating disorder, ie. binge, bulimia, food addiction eating disorders, which could fall under psychiatric and mental health. Look into joining national organizations such as the Obesity Society, also do research in the DSM-5. But in Georgia, as an NP, wouldn't you still have to collaborate with an MD? I am also looking into this option, but NPs can't practice independently in Ga, as in some other states like AZ. IA... Inbox me if you would like to stay connected, we have similar interests, Best of Luck!

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

How many people with eating disorders are treated in a medspa?

[PsychnurseBSN]

The comments on this thread are super wrong. An NP is an NP if you have additional training in Botox and filler you can own and operate a med spa independently if your state approves (mine does) many states do. Now as far as weight loss drugs are concerned I am unsure, but I know as far as owning and operating  a med spa for fillers and Botox yes! These people on here really have their minds compartmentalized 

[Kathy Goodman]

Good for you, getting my NP certification over 30 years ago (so long ago, that recent NP grads sent letters to local physicians describing: what an NP is & how NP's can benefit their private practice!) was one of the best decisions I've ever made & although I liked working in L & D, I never again worked in a hospital. In 2017, I opened my own business. The first 3 years I paid physicians (one was my personal MD & one I found on Craigslist!) a lot of money to be the medical director, although I rarely ever spoke with either of them. During the last 3 years my medical director is a bariatric surgeon who contacted me (via Craigslist again!) offering to exchange use of our office space 1-2 days/week in exchange for the 'medical director' label, This plan saved both of us $12,000+ every year. Although NP's currently need medical directors it was a relief to lower the cost. Regarding your inquiry of NP specialty,  I believe your best choice is adult primary care although in bariatrics it's mostly psych. As an adult primary care NP, you can add additional options to your practice (such as DOT physicals, vaccines, similar to what national pharmacy chains offer at their mini- clinics) if you ever need to increase your income. Apologies for the long answer however the suggestions listed (such as free medical director opportunities or increasing clinic income), I learned of, only after working in my own clinic. Good luck to you, you'll do great , especially as you already own a medspa. Cheers, Kathy.

 

[FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP]

PsychnurseBSN said:

The comments on this thread are super wrong. An NP is an NP if you have additional training in Botox and filler you can own and operate a med spa independently if your state approves (mine does) many states do. Now as far as weight loss drugs are concerned I am unsure, but I know as far as owning and operating  a med spa for fillers and Botox yes! These people on here really have their minds compartmentalized 

You are not an NP.  Someone who wants to own a medspa as an NP should choose an NP specialty that will provide education and training related to that.  Psych does not.  The best bet for the OP is FNP or AGPCNP.  In addition, if the medspa does not work out, then they will have an NP credential, and some experience, that will help them get a primary care NP job.  With one of those NP specializations, they may be able to work for a dermatologist for awhile and get some great experience.  I wish the OP the best, but a large number of new businesses fail.  It's good to have a fallback plan.

I also don't think a medspa can survive on botox injections and fillers alone.  Other services must be offered to have a viable business.  A lot of this is also going to depend on location and market conditions in that location.