What Training is Needed to Become a Nurse Injector?
Learning to enter different specialty areas in nursing can be challenging, especially if you want to become an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse.
This guide will break down aesthetic nurse and nurse injector training and answer your questions about becoming one. We'll cover every aspect of training, from RN licensure to training requirements for the most popular aesthetic nursing services. Read on to learn the knowledge and skills you need to qualify for your dream aesthetic nursing job and make a difference in your patients' lives.
What is Nurse Injector Training?
Aesthetic nurse training encompasses everything it takes to become an aesthetic nurse. It includes your initial RN certification, on-the-job training, continuing education, and certifications.
Here are the steps you need to take to become trained as an aesthetic nurse.
1. Initial RN Licensure
Before you can become an aesthetic nurse, you must first earn your registered nursing license. You can accomplish this by completing an accredited nursing program. Becoming an RN requires a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
Upon completing your program, you may sit the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Once you’ve passed the NCLEX-RN in your state, you will be eligible to obtain licensure.
>> Show Me Online RN-to-BSN Programs
2. Optional Advanced Education
Though not required, many RNs who want to become aesthetic/cosmetic nurses also pursue advanced degrees. Earning a Master’s in nursing (MSN) takes another one-to-two years and allows you to become an aesthetic nurse practitioner.
3. Aesthetic Nurse Training
Once you are an RN, the next steps to becoming an aesthetic nurse include gaining experience and specialized training.
You can specialize in a single cosmetic service or multiple. These services are generally non-invasive, non-surgical procedures including, but not limited to:
- Patient Consultations: Schedule, interview, and conduct medical screenings before providing aesthetic services
- Skin Examinations: Assess skin health or aging to determine treatment needs
- Patient Care: Administer both pre and post-operative care to patients
- Physician Assistance: Provide aid to physicians during procedures or surgeries
- Equipment Prep: Sterilize and prepare surgical instruments and suites
- Aesthetic Services: Administer Botox and filler injections or chemical peels, perform CoolSculpting or dermabrasion, or provide laser services like hair and tattoo removal.
Almost all employers and certifications require that you have at least two years of experience. The best way to earn aesthetic nurse experience is by working with a board-certified physician in one of the following fields:
- Plastic surgery
- Aesthetics
- Cosmetic surgery
- Dermatology
- Ophthalmology
4. Taking Aesthetic Nurse Courses
If you want to perform aesthetic services, you can enhance your skills by taking virtual and in-person courses.
Aesthetic nurse courses are available at all levels for every type of aesthetic service. The education they offer begins with foundational information, progressing to certifications and advanced techniques.
Continuing education courses also help maintain your skills and keep you up to date with new technologies and techniques emerging in this innovative and rapidly-changing field.
5. Earning Aesthetic Nurse Certifications
Certification is the gold standard training and the mark of professionalism for aesthetic nursing.
There are four aesthetic nursing certifications, each of which confirms proficiency in various procedures within different specialty areas. The four main aesthetic nurse certifications are:
- Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS)
- Certified Plastic Surgery Nurse (CPSN)
- Dermatology Nurse Certified (DNC)
- Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP)
Training for Different Types of Aesthetic Nurse Services
Aesthetic nursing is a practice that encompasses a wide range of services and techniques, and the list expands with every innovation. Every service requires specific training, from Botox and laser facials to body sculpting and tattoo removal.
Below, we’ve outlined the most popular aesthetic nurse services and the training you’ll need for each.
Botox Injector Training for Nurses
Botox and other injectables reduce wrinkles and frown lines, treat chronic jaw pain, relieve the pain of migraines, and more. Injection-based aesthetic RN training includes lessons in:
- Anatomy
- Assessment
- Dosing
- Patient safety
Botox nurse injector training also includes live patient training to practice adding volume, structure, and balance in key areas of the face. Specialized programs are also available to train aesthetic nurses in specific areas of the face, such as lips, eyes, and nose.
Laser Facial Training for Nurses
Medical aesthetic professionals have used lasers to remove blemishes, freckles, and wrinkles for decades. New technology continually introduces devices and techniques that improve and innovate body and skin aesthetic services.
In the United States, regulations for the use of this equipment may vary. It's a good idea to check your state's regulations - some only allow nurses to use lasers when supervised by physicians. Others only allow certified, advanced-practice registered nurses to perform laser therapy services.
Laser certification options vary from eight-hour training courses to longer, more comprehensive programs. These programs include information on:
- Supervised hands-on instruction
- Didactic training in safety
- State-of-the-art equipment
- Advanced techniques
- Professional exams that demonstrate proficiency
In addition, some laser therapy courses will include instruction on tattoo removal. However, you can also receive tattoo removal training on its own.
Tattoo Removal Training for Nurses
Tattoo removal is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure that uses state-of-the-art lasers.
To be a proficient tattoo removal nurse, you must know how to assess the tattoo to create a treatment plan. Your job is to determine the appropriate treatment settings to reach the patient's goals and achieve the best results.
You can complete most laser tattoo removal training through a two-day program. But you may benefit from combining this training with other laser treatments. These may include laser hair removal, skin rejuvenation, acne reduction, and cellulite reduction.
Laser Hair Removal Training for Nurses
Hair removal techniques vary depending on the area of the face and body. Training programs teach nurses about the technology and techniques for performing these services.
In a laser hair removal training program, you'll learn information on technique, currents of noninvasive light, skin anatomy, bacteriology, and safety. You'll also learn how to conduct patient needs assessments. These assessments allow you to determine treatment frequency and the type of laser to use based on hair and skin types.
Chemical Peel Training for Nurses
Chemical peel and microdermabrasion aesthetic nurse training is multifaceted. The topics you will learn about include the following:
- Skin structure and physiology
- Product characteristics
- Product selection based on patient goals/conditions
- Effective & safe product administration
Chemical peel training courses include both didactic training and hands-on practice.
Body Sculpting Training for Nurses
Radiofrequency, cold laser therapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound are examples of non-surgical body sculpting treatments. These increasingly popular treatments use specialized devices to eliminate fat cells, tighten and tone skin, and stimulate collagen production.
Aesthetic nurses who've completed the proper training may administer these and other body contouring services. Body sculpting training for nurses includes instruction in the following areas:
- Safety & proper device use
- Physiology and anatomy
- Consultation and protocol selection
- Hands-on training
- Appropriate aftercare
>> Show Me Online RN-to-BSN Programs
4 Tips for Becoming an Aesthetic Nurse
Aesthetic nurse training is one aspect of becoming an aesthetic nurse. But to get your dream job as a cosmetic nurse, you’ll need education, experience, and connections. Here are the top 4 tips to help you build your network and increase your aesthetic knowledge.
1. Expand Your Aesthetic Nursing Education
If you are interested in a career as an aesthetic nurse, few things are more important than certification and training courses. These programs provide invaluable education and hands-on training in various in-demand services.
The more education you complete, the more knowledgeable you are, and the more you will prove to potential employers that you’re committed to a career in aesthetics. The extra work you invest in education equates to more value to medical spas, plastic surgeons, other aesthetic employers, and patients.
2. Update Your Resume Often
Ensure you keep your resume updated with each certification course you take. The more skills and experience you display, the better your chances of finding your dream position.
3. Shadow an Experienced Aesthetic Nurse
Finding a mentor who you can shadow is a great way to ensure that aesthetics is truly the career for you. It also allows you to gain invaluable experience.
4. Become a Member of Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nursing Organizations
Join multiple organizations dedicated to aesthetics. The more of these groups you belong to, the more effective your networking will be. You also will be among the first to know about new modalities, services, and training opportunities.
>> Show Me Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Is Aesthetic Nurse Training Worth It?
Training and certification programs are essential to a successful career as an aesthetic nurse, but they can be expensive. The question of whether the investment of your time and resources is worthwhile is a matter of your own goals and priorities, and there are certainly pros and cons to aesthetic nursing.
Most aesthetic nurses say that the most rewarding aspect of their job is helping patients feel better about themselves and improving their self-confidence and quality of life. If this is important to you, you will find your career choice is well worth the money you spend.
Becoming an aesthetic nurse can also be financially gratifying, as aesthetic nurse salaries can be as high as $137,500 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.
They also benefit from working in a peaceful environment such as med spas and private physician’s offices, instead of the stressful, high-pressure atmosphere common in hospitals.
