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Nurse Injector Role: Here is Everything You Should Know

  • Interested in pursuing a career as a nurse injector?
  • Not sure where to start?
  • Check out Nursing CE Central for everything you need to know about the nurse injector role!
Morgan Curry, RN/BSN

Morgan Curry, BSN / RN

Intensive Care, Outpatient Surgery, Aesthetics, Education, and Nursing Leadership

August 20, 2021
Simmons University

Are you curious about the role of a nurse injector?  

Or are you interested in becoming one, but don’t exactly know where to start?  

Well, you’re in luck! We will discuss the ins and outs of becoming a nurse injector!

As an aesthetic nurse, the high-stress work environments like the ER and ICU are a thing of the past!

What is a Nurse Injector? What Do They Do?

A nurse injector is an RN or APRN who specializes in providing aesthetic beauty services such as Botox neurotoxin injections and dermal fillers. 

Some of the duties of this role entail:  

  • Consulting with patients in detail regarding various aesthetic options to achieve their desired outcomes 
  • Performing neurotoxin and filler injections  
  • Providing education to the patient with relevant information about the procedure and potential side effects of the product being used 
  • Providing follow up care  
  • Offering one-on one individualized patient care plans  
  • Giving referrals  
  • Performing various cosmetic treatments such as hair removal, chemical treatments, laser treatments  

What Experience/Credentials Do I Need?

Although some of the details will vary by state, online job resource, RegisteredNursing.org, outlines some of the required experiences and credentials needed in order to pursue a career as a nurse injector. Check it out: 

  • Receive a BSN.
  • Pass the NCLEX-RN Examination.
  • Have completed at least 1,000 hours in core competency specialties in the last two years (this may vary by state).
  • Have a minimum of 2 years of nursing experience within the designated 4 core competencies with a board-certified physician within a core specialty such as Plastic/Aesthetic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, or Facial Plastic Surgery (this may vary by state).  
  • Must have a supervising core physician endorse the applicant’s application. Again, this may vary by state.  
  • Although this step is not always required, it can help you immensely to earn credentials through the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board.

Where Can Nurse Injectors Work? What is the Pay Like?

As an aesthetic nurse, the high-stress work environments like the ER and ICU are a thing of the past!  

Typically, you will work in either plastic surgery or dermatology clinics within the private sector; and the pay is not bad either! Many nurse injectors work at med spas, too!  

Check out your local job openings to see where the majority work. It really varies by location.  

According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for a nurse injector is $72,674. Wow! This really varies depending upon your credentials and years of experience.

Practice Restrictions

It is helpful to understand your workplace’s restrictions as well as your nursing scope of practice rights as a nurse injector; all of these rules vary state by state.  

For example, in the state of Kentucky, an RN can function as a nurse injector under the supervision of a seasoned APRN who has worked in aesthetic medicine for at least four years or more or under an MD. 

Additionally, APRNs have the freedom to own and operate their own aesthetic practice in Kentucky. 

In other states, only APRNs and MDs can perform injections.  

If you are actively searching for a nurse injector position, it would be beneficial for you to review the certification requirements for credentialing purposes, as some states do not require certificates for injection, while others do. It is important to note that this may also be dictated by the employer.  

If you are already in the field of aesthetic nursing, your product representatives are an awesome resource that can help you on your journey toward becoming a nurse injector!

However, if you do not have a representative like this, you could always reach out to your board of nursing to determine your practice rights and restrictions. 

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