How to Open a Medical Spa as a Nurse

1. Research Your State’s Laws and Licensing Requirements

After thoroughly researching your state's laws and licensing requirements, consider what oversight, if any, you will need to open a medical spa.

For example, in Washington, NPs have full practice authority and can open a med spa WITHOUT the oversight of a medical doctor. In most states with full practice authority, NPs can open and oversee their own practice.

If you are unsure about laws and regulations in your state, consider contacting the Board of Nursing (BON) or a lawyer.

2. Form Your Legal Business Entity

Next, it’s time to think of a name for your business, and one that is not already registered as a business name legally. There are multiple strategies to consider when picking a name, but incorporating med spa into the name can be helpful for identification purposes.

After choosing a name, you must register as a business structure as an LLC, PLLC, or corporation:

• LLC (Limited Liability Company): Flexible structure available to most businesses. It helps protect your assets from business liabilities.
• PLLC (Professional Limited Liability Company): Designed for businesses in which licensed professionals provide professional services. Check your state’s laws, as some require a PLLC instead of a standard LLC.
• Corporation: A separate legal entity that offers stronger liability protection, but has stricter regulations and more formal requirements. Some states require healthcare businesses to form a Professional Corporation (PC) rather than a standard corporation.

When determining the best business structure, it is important to consult a lawyer and an accountant to ensure you correctly complete all the steps. Without the proper documentation and structural organization, you cannot operate legally.

Next, apply for an EIN, or Employer Identification Number, through the IRS. The IRS assigns EINs to businesses for identification and tax purposes. This process includes an application and an associated fee. 

Additionally, you’ll need to open a business account through a reputable bank, ideally one you can pay employees through.

3. Create a Business Plan

Creating a comprehensive business plan is an essential step to starting any business. This business plan will document your company’s goals, aspirations, and strategies. Business plans not only provide structure and guidance, but lenders also require them if you need to seek funding.

Most likely, as a nurse or nurse practitioner, you did not learn much about business models during nursing school. Connecting with a business firm to help construct your plan may be necessary.

Define Your Scope of Services

Med spas can offer a wide variety of services to customers, so it is essential to consider what specific services you want to provide to your clients.

For example, you may be interested in offering facials or massages. However, most RNs don’t hold massage therapy licenses. Massage therapy requires a professional license, so you may need to hire a licensed masseuse to operate in your state legally.

Remember your scope of practice and to only practice within it.

Determine Financial Needs and Projections

Your business plan should also include a comprehensive cost breakdown along with revenue projections. Consider the following as you develop your plan:

• Startup costs: Equipment, renovations, licensing fees, and initial inventory
• Operation costs: Rent, utilities, staff salaries, marketing costs, supplies
• Projections: projected revenue and unexpected costs

The initial costs are usually quite high because of the equipment, decor, and materials. Those costs generally subside after the first year unless you need to buy new equipment. 

Depending on upfront costs, it may be important to secure outside investors or business loans. A solid business and marketing plan is essential to securing investments.

4. Set Up Your Physical Location

After securing the proper licensing and investors, find a location that accommodates your needs and vision for your business.

Find and Secure a Location

Pick a location that is suitable for your business plan and clinical needs. Consider visibility, accessibility, and proximity to your target clientele. The ideal location:

• Is accessible by main roads
• Has ample parking
• Has good Signage
• Offers long-term leasing options

Purchase Equipment and Supplies

When opening a med spa as a nurse, you will need to purchase a significant amount of equipment up front. Ensure the equipment you purchase is medical grade and able to pass any possible inspections. Consider factors like functionality, manufacturer reputation, and warranty options when selecting equipment.

Some equipment that you will need to purchase includes:

• Ultrasonic equipment
• Patient charts
• Tables and spa chairs
• Med spa software
• Injectable tools
• Vein finder
• Cold storage refrigeration

Design Your Clinic

This is the fun part: choosing a color scheme, designing office space, adding decor, and making your business plan a reality! You will need to make some tough decisions during the design process, including how many client rooms to include.

5. Complete Operations Preparation

Operations prep is the home stretch of opening your med spa as a nurse. Once you set up your business, you’ll need to obtain all the appropriate licensure, including any state or local business licenses. Because it is a med spa, the health department will most likely also need to inspect the space and give clearance.

Obtain malpractice and general liability insurance for the med spa and employees who will provide services. Other administrative tasks to consider include developing the following:

• Patient records
• Consent forms
• Emergency protocols
• Policies and procedures

Once the med spa is up and running, everything will need to remain HIPAA, OSHA, and medical and nursing board compliant.

At this point, you are ready to hire and train the team that will work with you. The exact number of employees to hire will vary depending on the med spa and its size. Common med spa employees you may need to recruit include:

• Front desk staff
• Aestheticians
• Nurses
• Massage therapists
• Other medical providers