Also called cosmetic nurse practitioners, aesthetic nurse practitioners work alongside cosmetic professionals to help patients that want or need some form of aesthetic procedure. Whether the patient wants to boost their own confidence and self image or the procedure is a result of a previous accident, providing aesthetic care can greatly improve someone’s quality of life.
Aesthetic nurses are sought out across the country and having a degree can certainly improve your odds of landing the job you want. If you haven’t already gotten your degree in aesthetic nursing, here are a few reasons why you might decide to.
Increase your salary
While the BLS reports that most nurse practitioners earn around $118,000 annually, ZipRecruiter puts aesthetic nurse practitioners’ salary closer to $85,000 annually. The difference in salary here is most likely due to the many, many specialties included in the BLS report whereas ZipRecruiter only looked at aesthetic nurses.
Just like with every other specialty, earning your degree and continuing your education will increase your chances of a higher base salary. Additional certification may also qualify you for a bonus or a raise later on, so you should never be afraid to keep taking classes and expanding your knowledge and your practice.
More opportunities
In order to earn your license and start your practice as a nurse practitioner, you must first have your bachelor’s degree in nursing. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in aesthetic nursing, but if you have the chance to specialize your degree and you know you want to go into aesthetic nursing, doing so will make it possible much earlier on.
Of course, you will need to gain nursing experience before you can start your practice as an aesthetic nurse, but having your degree will make it much easier to find a job where you can start gaining this experience.
Expand your current skill set
Nursing requires a very specific skill set and not everyone is born with the skills that are needed. Completing your degree in aesthetic nursing will not only help prepare you for the career you’re about to step into, but it will also expand your skill set to cover every area of your future job.
Degree programmes are designed to prepare you for your future in nursing. Even if you already hold your BSN, taking a degree that specializes in aesthetic nursing will help you feel more prepared when you finally do step into the field. You’ll have the necessary skills and you’ll have experience using them in a supervised manner.
Aesthetic nursing training courses and certifications to enhance your career
In addition to a degree in aesthetic nursing, there are numerous training courses and certifications that can help you move forward in your career. While you don’t necessarily need all of them in order to have a successful career, expanding your knowledge and earning at least one or two extra certifications will make you a highly sought after professional.
- Certified Aesthetics Nurse Specialist (CANS). While not every healthcare facility will require you to pass the Certified Aesthetics Nurse Specialist (CANS) exam, it will open more opportunities for you. This certification proves that you’re committed to your field and have the skills and knowledge necessary. There are many courses offered by the American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (AAAMS) that will help prepare you for the exam. They are offered both online and in-person, so you can determine which method works better with your current lifestyle.
- RN Botox Certification. Botox is commonly used by aesthetic nurse practitioners and holding your certification can reassure patients and help you stand out on your resume. Courses such as this one through the AAAMS can be completed at your own pace and give you a better understanding of how to assess, mark, and inject Botox. At the end, you’ll receive your certification and, quite possibly, a salary increase.
- Chemical Peels Course. Chemical peels are becoming a more popular aesthetic treatment as people try to reverse sun damage and even out their skin tone. Although there is no certification unique for chemical peels, the AAAMS offers a two day training course that includes chemical peels as well as Botox, dermal fillers, and facelifts. At the end of the course, you’ll be able to complete a myriad of aesthetic treatments including chemical peels. Perhaps the best part of the course is that you have the opportunity to earn money while you’re training. The training is also done at your own office, meaning you won’t have to spend money on travel expenses.
- Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty and Facelift Courses. Two more common aesthetic procedures are non surgical rhinoplasties and facelifts. As a nurse, you can take online training courses that will allow you to perform these two treatments in a safe and professional manner. With the AAAMS’s non-surgical rhinoplasty course, you work at your own pace to complete the fully virtual course. Similarly, the vector facelift course trains nurse practitioners how to do a CosmoFacelift procedure in one hour. The course is entirely virtual and you also work at your own pace.
Why earn your degree in aesthetic nursing?
Work as an aesthetic nurse practitioner is much less stressful than other specialties. Unlike the rush of emergency rooms or the stress of trauma care, aesthetic nursing is much more relaxed. When you choose to earn your degree in aesthetic nursing, you not only join a rewarding career field, but you also increase your chances of having a more rewarding career.
Holding a degree in aesthetic nursing will give you more power over your work. You’ll have the certification necessary to either work with a physician or start your own practice, offering you further freedom in your work. As with all other careers and specialties, holding a degree in your job field will also increase your salary and lead to higher job satisfaction.
Helen Baumeister did her degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
