An aesthetic or cosmetic nurse assists in and performs different non-surgical procedures and treatments to assist patients who are looking to enhance their appearance.

The role is quite similar to a plastic surgery nurse, but the focus is more on in-office and non-invasive cosmetic treatments, and not surgical procedures.

Some of these procedures that a cosmetic nurse performs are laser removal, chemical peels, and dermal fillers and injectables.

If you’re looking to get certified as an injectable nurse, take a look at our injection certification courses and keep reading to learn more about what steps are needed.

What Does a Cosmetic Nurse Do?

An injectable, cosmetic, or aesthetic nurse has several duties and roles. They usually work under a physician and are responsible for the following tasks:

•  Recording and assessing a patient’s medical history before the procedure
• Managing situations where patients suddenly become unstable
• Assessing recovery and determining if there are any adverse reactions to the current treatment course
• Monitoring a patient’s status during a procedure
• Ensuring a clean and sterile environment
• Preparing equipment and area for the procedure
• Helping patients understand the treatment, including what they can expect during and after the procedure
• Checking the patient’s vital signs

Educational and Licensing Requirements

Cosmetic nurses are, first and foremost, registered nurses. That means they have to complete all the educational requirements for registered nurses before they can legally practice.

In particular, they need to complete the following:

• Earn an RN degree by completing either a 2-year Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a 4-year Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN). It’s important to note, however, that many clinics and medical spas prefer to hire BSN nurses. Before deciding on their educational pathway, aspiring nurses should always take into account their career goals and needs.
• Get licensed by passing the NCLEX-RN within two months after they’ve graduated from nursing school
• Some RNs may also choose to pursue further education to be a Nurse Practitioner (NP). To do this, they’ll need to earn at least a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. NPs usually are given more autonomy and responsibility, but this will typically vary depending on in which state they’re based. For instance, an NP can prescribe medication in all 50 states. 

Certification or Credentials

Although it’s not required, most cosmetic nurses choose to earn certifications and credentials.

They may choose to specialize in a certain area, such as dermatology, Botox, or fillers.

Here are some examples of the common certifications:

1. A certified aesthetics nurse specialist can administer Botox and other dermal fillers.To obtain this credential, an RN should complete the following:
   - 2 years of supervised work under a board-certified physician
   - An up-to-date license
   - At least 1,000 practice hours
2. Cosmetic nurses who work in medical spas and other private practices usually have a Botox and filler certification. Those who wish to obtain one will need to undergo around 8 hours of certification courses. There are plenty of providers who offer courses that can be completed within one day or over the weekend.

As mentioned above, these certifications are not required for an RN to administer cosmetic treatments, but most organizations and practices will require them for their staff members. 

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