An aesthetic/cosmetic nurse is a registered nurse who has specialized training in providing services related to aesthetics and cosmetics to patients. Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses are specifically qualified to perform many types of services for patients. According to the American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (AAAMS), such services may include “photofacials, Botox and dermal filler injections, tattoo removal, dermabrasion and non-surgical body contouring.”
What Does an Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse Do?
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses can be registered nurses (RNs) or nurse practitioners (NPs)—who may also be referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). The aesthetic/cosmetic nurse’s credentials and state practice laws determine the scope of practice permitted. The setting in which care is provided also influences an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse’s duties.
According to AAAMS, the duties of an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse may include:
Conducting patient consults, interviews, scheduling, and medical screening prior to providing services for the patient
Providing care preoperatively and postoperatively
Performing skin examinations to assess “aging and other health problems”
Preparing instruments, sterilizing instruments, and prepping surgical suites
Assisting with surgeries and procedures
How Much Does an Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse Make Per Year?
According to salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for registered nurses was $77,600 in May 2021—with half of nurses earning more than that amount and half earning less. Wages of nurses in the lowest 10 percent were less than $59,450. Wages of nurses in the highest 10 percent were over $120,250.
The median annual wage for nurse practitioners was $120,680 in May 2021. Wages of nurse practitioners in the lowest 10 percent were less than $79,870. Wages of nurse practitioners in the highest 10 percent were over $200,540.
The BLS does not provide a pay breakdown according to specialty but does provide median annual wages for registered nurses according to general categories of work location. Since most aesthetic/cosmetic nurses care for patients in outpatient settings of some type, such as physician offices or medical spas, the following BLS median annual wages reported for May 2021 may apply, depending upon the employer.
Registered nurses:
Offices of Physicians: $73,860
Outpatient Care Centers: $93,070
Nurse Practitioners:
Offices of Physicians: $121,280
Outpatient Care Centers: $128,190
Offices of other health practitioners: $104,790
The salary of an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse is also influenced by factors such as education, experience, and geographical region of the country.
The AAAMS notes that aesthetic/cosmetic nurses typically work in a clinic, outpatient surgery facility, medical spa, or private office. Additionally, “Unlike a plastic surgery nurse, an aesthetic nurse is typically involved in in-office, non-invasive cosmetic procedures rather than surgical procedures,” AAAMS says.
How Do I Become an Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse?
The path to becoming an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse depends upon the credentials involved. Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses are either registered nurses or nurse practitioners. Registered nurses must attend an accredited nursing program that leads to a bachelor’s degree in nursing or an associate’s degree in nursing.
RNs must also be licensed in the state in which they work. Licensure can be obtained by passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and meeting any additional requirements of the state’s board of nursing. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) offers a resource to determine state-based nursing licensure requirements.
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses who are advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners, are licensed registered nurses who obtain at least a master’s degree in their specialty role, pass a national certification exam, and hold an APRN license in their state.
Additionally, AAAMS says successful completion of a hands-on training course related to this field through “a highly reputable and fully accredited educational organization” is also required.
“The general timeline for becoming an aesthetic nurse is approximately 4-7 years, depending on the type of degree you obtain and the time it takes to pass the NCLEX-RN,” AAAMS says.
Both registered nurses and nurse practitioners can obtain additional certification in the field by meeting eligibility requirements and taking the exam to become a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS). Eligibility requirements for registered nurses and nurse practitioners are slightly different. According to the CANS page of the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB) site, eligibility requirements for registered nurses who want to sit for the exam include:
“Be currently licensed as a Registered Nurse in the United States, its territories or Canada, holding a current full and unrestricted license.”
“Have spent at least 1,000 practice hours within the core specialties during the last two (2) years.”
“Have a minimum of two (2) years of nursing experience as a registered nurse within the four Core Specialties in collaboration or in a practice with a physician that is board Certified within a core specialty or a Nurse Practitioner who is CANS certified and whose certification is in good standing. Experience can be in a general staff, administrative, teaching, or research capacity within three (3) years prior to application, depending on state practice requirements.”
“Be currently working in collaboration or in a practice with a physician that is Board Certified within one of the following specialties: Plastic/Aesthetic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, or Facial Plastic Surgery (ENT) or a Nurse Practitioner who is CANS certified.”
“Have your collaborating core physician or Nurse Practitioner who is CANS certified, who holds a current full and unrestricted license, provide a letter of recommendation.”
To view eligibility requirements for nurse practitioners, please visit the CANS page.
CANS certification is not required to work as an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse, but obtaining this credential demonstrates that an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse possesses specialty expertise based on a standardized body of knowledge. According to the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB), there are currently 381 Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialists and 257 Certified Plastic Surgical Nurses “who are certified by the PSNCB and maintain current certifications.”
However, according to AAAMS, aesthetic/cosmetic nurses are required to obtain certifications to perform certain procedures—such as specific types of injections.
“To perform an injection, you need to be certified in that specific injection,” AAAMS says, also noting that “All aesthetic nurse practitioners receive Botox training and dermal filler training.”
What Are the Benefits of Being an Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse?
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses enjoy the benefits of building relationships with patients who often return for repeat services. These nurses play an important role in helping improve the self-esteem of patients through the positive results they experience. For those who have long been interested in helping others feel better about themselves, being an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse may be the dream role they’ve been seeking.
Additional Resources About Becoming an Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse
To learn more about becoming an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse, these additional resources may help:
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