Intensive Care, Outpatient Surgery, Aesthetics, Education, and Nursing Leadership
Plastic surgery and aesthetics can be a rewarding and exciting field. As an aesthetic nurse, you get to help patients along their journey to becoming their best self.
Despite the stigma, this field isn’t all about “Nip/Tucks,” larger breasts, and Kylie Jenner lips—as an aesthetic nurse, you get to work in a culture focused on improving your patients’ quality of life, while also building long-term relationships with them.
The availability of aesthetic nursing jobs in this field varies by region. Regardless of where you live, it is a highly competitive field that many nurses desire to work in.
This may seem discouraging, but with several years of nursing experience and a drive to succeed, you can achieve this highly sought-after career.
After 5 years of working as a plastic surgery and aesthetic nurse at a plastic surgery practice, I have acquired a wealth of knowledge about what it takes to succeed in this amazing career. I’ve compiled that information for you; I hope this gets you one step closer to your dream job!
If you are interested in the field of plastic surgery and aesthetic nursing, you must have a firm foundation before any credible or reputable practice will hire you. It is a HIGHLY competitive field, so you need to gain experience first.
Employers will want to know how long you’ve been practicing as a nurse, and what settings you’ve worked in. Regardless of the level of your degree, you must be able to show that you are experienced in providing high-quality care.
According to job experts at Indeed, many surgery centers, medical spas, and private practices will only consider applicants if they have a minimum of 1 to 3 years of experience.
My past employer preferred this experience to be from the ICU, ER, or PACU. However, most skills required for this field are learned during on-the-job training.
Prior to becoming a plastic surgery and aesthetic nurse, I was a cardiac ICU nurse at a Level I Trauma Center for almost 3 years.
Without this background, I likely wouldn’t have gotten the plastic surgery and aesthetic nursing job. I highly recommend working in a hospital setting to gain the fundamental skills that you need to practice on a specialized level.
Certifications such as BLS, ACLS, and a sedation certification may be required depending on the institution’s regulations.
If you are wondering if credentials are important, it depends on the region you’re looking at.
For instance, if you are in a larger metropolitan city, credentials will give you a competitive advantage against other applicants. It is also worth noting that some institutions will pay more if you have certain credentials.
There are currently two certifications for nurses offered by the Plastic Surgical Certification Board (PSNCB). They are both valid for 3 years and eligible for renewal through continuing education credits.
There are several different settings within the field of plastic and aesthetic nursing. With each setting, there comes a different set of responsibilities and roles for nurses. These settings include:
Plastic surgery and aesthetic nursing encompasses many different roles that a nurse can choose from. You may hear “plastic surgery nurse” and “aesthetic nurse” used interchangeably, however, they are quite different.
Plastic surgery nurses keep their focus on surgical procedures that improve the appearance of the body and face via a variety of invasive and non-invasive procedures. They work alongside the physician/surgeon in caring for surgical patients.
This specialization of nursing is multidisciplinary and dynamic.
Most plastic surgery nurses work closely with their surgeons and other support staff such as medical assistants, scrub techs, CRNA’s, and surgery coordinators to assist the patient in achieving their desired results.
Depending on the individual practice, a plastic surgery nurse may be responsible for one or several of these jobs:
Aesthetic nurses keep their focus in the clinical area. They may perform non-surgical procedures and therapies to assist patients in improving their cosmetic appearance.
On top of this, aesthetic nurses may be responsible for one or several of these jobs:
This field is held to a higher, more specific standard than others.
Many of the procedures are elective and because few cosmetic procedures are covered under insurance, the patients are paying a considerable amount for the services that you will be offering.
Body language, tone of voice, bedside manner, and empathy toward patients is imperative when caring for and communicating with this patient population.
Personality really is everything in this field.
You must be able to comfort patients’ fears, while simultaneously educating them on the risks and desired outcomes.
You must be able to multi-task and think quickly and critically – always be two steps ahead. Especially if you are dealing with multiple physicians, you must learn their preferences for each procedure and how to communicate with them and their strong personalities.
This is not an exhaustive list of the types of procedures you may encounter in this field, but these are the most common, highly sought-after procedures that are offered today.
Most of the knowledge and skills required to care for patients undergoing these procedures is learned on the job. Each surgeon or physician has their own method of performing their procedures and caring for their patients.
Online job recruiter resource, ZipRecruiter, claims the pay for a nurse in this field can range anywhere from $47,000 to as high as $124,000 per year; the average being $85,621.
However, some employers may pay on an hourly scale while others are set on a fixed salary.
With that being said, the pay varies depending upon institution (hospital, clinic, surgery center, med spa etc.) This large gap in pay suggests there is potential room for advancement based on skill, location, and experience. Some nurses in this field may also work on a bonus compensation structure.
The pay scale may also vary based upon the benefits the institution offers. These things must also be taken into consideration when determining the best fit for you new place of work.
Another bonus that many private practice or med spas may offer is access to discounted procedures. These may include discounted surgery, facials, skin care, facial procedures (microdermabrasion, chemical peels, dermaplaning etc.), and injectables (neurotoxin or fillers).
Some employers may offer these as a perk or a bonus throughout the year. This is a huge benefit to working in this industry as these procedures are normally very expensive.
There are specific rules and regulations that vary by state such as what license is required to legally inject neurotoxin and dermal fillers, operate a laser, and who can own and operate a medical spa.
It’s important to understand your individual state’s rules and regulations. Check with your state board of nursing to find that information.
The popularity of injectables, skincare and lasers are on the rise and many nurses and other medical professionals are looking to supplement their current position or move into the field of aesthetics.
Some states allow nurses without Advanced Practice degrees to practice with injectables, while others do not. Some states also allow a nurse to own a med spa and practice without physician ownership or oversight.
The American MedSpa Association gives a summary of each state’s guidelines; they are a great resource if this interests you. Just remember to stay up-to-date and know your individual practice privileges.
Now you have all the information you need to begin your career in the unique field of plastic surgery and aesthetic nursing. Remember, this is not a comprehensive list, just a guideline to keep in mind. Each state and institution will vary, so always do your research.
My experience in this field has been very rewarding; if it interests you, I encourage you to take the leap and pursue a career in plastic surgery and aesthetics.
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