How to Become a Nurse Esthetician
=Nurse estheticians are specially-trained registered nurses (RNs) who administer cosmetic injectables to enhance their clients’ appearance and well-being. The growing demand for nurse estheticians is creating exciting opportunities and impressive salary potential.
This article will explore how to become a nurse esthetician, including salary, certifications, and available resources.
- 💰 Salary: The average nurse esthetician salary is $80,321 per year, or $39 per hour (ZipRecruiter)
- ⏰ Length to Become: 5-7 years
- 🎓 Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), registered nurse license, Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS), Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB)
- 👩⚕️ Career Outlook: 5% (faster than average) growth for RNs over the next decade (BLS).
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
What is a Nurse Esthetician?
A nurse esthetician, also called an aesthetic nurse, is an RN with specialized training in performing cosmetic and aesthetic procedures. These procedures include:
- Botox injections
- Dermal fillers
- Chemical peels
- Microneedling
- IV infusions
Nurse Esthetician Duties
Primarily, esthetician nurses provide cosmetic treatments to enhance their clients’ appearance. Their responsibilities vary by work environment, but may include:
- Consulting with patients, including scheduling, interviewing, and medical screening, before providing services
- Examining clients’ skin to assess both aging and other health problems
- Performing pre-operative and post-operative care
- Assisting the physician with procedures and surgeries
- Preparing and sterilizing instruments and surgery suites
- Administering injections of Botox and fillers, performing chemical peels, laser hair removal, dermabrasion, and CoolSculpting
- Tattoo removal
- Providing pre- and post-operative treatment and care
- Collaborating with dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other healthcare providers
- Assisting with surgeries and procedures
- Maintaining sterile medical equipment and workplaces
- Staying relevant to the latest trends and techniques
- Documenting patient records
- Developing personalized treatment plans
Work Environments
Nurse estheticians can work in various locations, including:
- Dermatology offices
- Plastic surgery offices
- Med spas
- Hospitals
- Laser clinics
- Fitness centers
- Private practice offices
- Burn centers
- Salons
- Rehabilitation centers
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
How to Become a Nurse Esthetician
Becoming a nurse esthetician takes 5-7 years, including your initial education and RN licensure, earning relevant experience, and obtaining advanced certifications. The following steps outline how to become a nurse esthetician.
-
Step 1: Attend an Accredited Nursing Program
Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program. BSN programs take four years to complete with required in-person clinicals. -
Step 2: Pass the NCLEX and Obtain RN Licensure
To become licensed in your state of practice, you must pass the NCLEX, which is the national certification exam for RNs in the US. Then, you can apply for RN licensure through your state’s nursing board. -
Step 3: Gain Relevant Experience
Becoming comfortable with injectables and IV therapy will help you succeed as a nurse esthetician. Ideally, you would earn experience with a board-certified physician in plastic, aesthetic, or cosmetic surgery or at a dermatology office. However, any bedside experience can be beneficial. -
Step 4: Earn Advanced Certification
Earn an advanced certification. There are several options to choose from, including:
Nurse Esthetician Resources
Resources
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
When you earn an ASU nursing degree, you are gaining skills from a respected and accredited institution. Our online nursing degrees are accredited by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Join a trusted, accredited online university to accelerate your nursing career on your schedule. Scholarships and financial aid are available.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and 100% of our College of Nursing didactic faculty are doctorally trained. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
