How to Become an Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse | Salary 2026
If you’re ready to trade high-stress hospital wards for a career that blends clinical precision with an artistic eye, becoming an aesthetic nurse could be your next big move. An aesthetic nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in non-surgical cosmetic treatments like Botox, dermal fillers, and laser skin resurfacing. Instead of treating acute illness, you’ll work in medical spas or private clinics, helping patients enhance their appearance and boost their confidence through elective procedures.
To become an aesthetic nurse, you typically follow these steps:
- Earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become a licensed registered nurse.
- Gain hands-on experience in dermatology or surgical settings.
- Complete specialized certifications for injectables and cosmetic lasers.
Aesthetic nursing offers a refreshing change of pace from traditional bedside care, typically providing a more predictable schedule and a focus on wellness rather than illness. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything from salary expectations to how you can land your first job in a competitive medspa.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers BSN programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Save up to 30%* on tuition with the RN-to-BSN Tuition Advantage Grant (*see Chamberlain website for details).
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
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
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, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Aesthetic Nurse Fast Facts
- 💰 Salary: Aesthetic nurses make an average of $80,321 per year, or $39 per hour (ZipRecruiter)
- ⏰ Length to Become: 4-6 years
- 🎓 Requirements: ADN or BSN, RN licensure, aesthetic nursing certifications
- 👩⚕️ Career Outlook: 5% (faster than average) growth rate for RNs over the next decade (BLS).
Aesthetic Nurse Salary by State
Alabama: $72,802
Alaska: $86,502
Arizona: $74,850
Arkansas: $66,418
California: $79,269
Colorado: $84,459
Connecticut: $76,409
Delaware: $80,391
District of Columbia: $90,765
Florida: $60,023
Georgia: $67,822
Hawaii: $83,451
Idaho: $75,574
Illinois: $77,833
Indiana: $76,431
Iowa: $75,443
Kansas: $71,634
Kentucky: $69,761
Louisiana: $68,685
Maine: $77,767
Maryland: $77,955
Massachusetts: $87,721
Michigan: $70,008
Minnesota: $78,668
Mississippi: $76,070
Missouri: $75,342
Montana: $73,723
Nebraska: $76,582
Nevada: $81,792
New Hampshire: $78,113
New Jersey: $81,545
New Mexico: $77,837
New York: $87,874
North Carolina: $72,996
Ohio: $76,361
Oklahoma: $74,163
Oregon: $84,923
Pennsylvania: $80,514
Rhode Island: $78,660
South Carolina: $74,535
South Dakota: $80,321
Tennessee: $72,901
Texas: $74,832
Utah: $73,122
Vermont: $85,402
Virginia: $79,632
Washington: $90,972
West Virginia: $62,182
Wisconsin: $81,073
Wyoming: $77,207
What Is an Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse?
An aesthetic nurse, also known as a cosmetic nurse or nurse esthetician, specializes in providing cosmetic treatments and procedures to enhance a person's appearance. These nurses typically work in settings such as medical spas, dermatology clinics, plastic surgery offices, or cosmetic surgery centers.
Aesthetic Nurse Duties
- Injectables: Administering injectable treatments like Botox, dermal fillers, and collagen stimulators to reduce wrinkles, add volume, and rejuvenate the skin.
- Laser treatments: Using lasers for hair removal, skin resurfacing, tattoo removal, and treatment of vascular or pigmented lesions.
- Chemical peels: Applying chemical solutions to exfoliate and improve the texture and appearance of the skin.
- Microneedling: Using a device with fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production and improving skin texture.
- Skincare consultations: Providing personalized skincare recommendations and advice tailored to individual needs.
How To Become an Aesthetic Nurse
If you want to become an aesthetic nurse, you’ll need to complete the following steps.
-
Earn Your Degree (2-4 years)
Becoming an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse begins with a registered nurse degree, which you can earn through either a 2-year associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a 4-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. -
Pass the NCLEX-RN & Become Licensed
Once you've earned your RN degree from an accredited nursing program, you'll then need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed by one or more states. -
Gain Experience (2+ years)
As part of your aesthetic nurse training, you must gain experience, spending at least two years working in core competencies with a board-certified physician in plastic/aesthetic/cosmetic surgery, dermatology, facial plastic surgery, or ophthalmology.
Sabrina Caires, an aesthetic nurse injector practicing out of Bellevue, WA, also recommends watching as many YouTube videos as you can on the basics of neuromodulators and different types of commonly used dermal fillers. -
Build Your Network
Attend conferences, join professional organizations, and make use of LinkedIn! Sabrina recommends following as many practices in your area as possible and all of their employees. Send personalized messages, sharing your passion for the industry, and when they have an opportunity for you, reach out to them.
She also suggests following any injectors in your area. Engaging with their content and reaching out to them! She says to ask them about their experience as an injector, if their practice is hiring, for shadowing opportunities, and if they have any advice for you. You can also ask them for shadowing opportunities. -
Earn a Certified Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse Specialist Credential
To position yourself for the best aesthetic/cosmetic nurse jobs, consider earning an aesthetic nurse certification. There are several options to choose from: Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS), Certified Plastic Surgery Nurse (CPSN), Dermatology Nurse Certified (DNC), and Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP). With these courses, you’ll learn more about the basics of Botox and fillers and get some hands-on experience. -
Maintain Your Certification
Aesthetic nurses who meet the requirements for CANS status must recertify every three years. Requirements for recertification include: 45 contact hours with at least 2 hours related specifically to patient safety. At least 30 contact hours must be in the core specialties: plastic/aesthetic/cosmetic surgery, dermatology, facial plastic surgery, or ophthalmology.
Nurses could also retake the CANS exam every three years to maintain this certification. There’s no training course required for recertification. -
Be Patient
Sabrina shared that it took her almost a year to get into the industry. "I applied to numerous practices, had several interviews, and was rejected over and over. But I pressed on every opportunity, knowing I would eventually get in, and I did. Don’t give up, babes - you got this!" -- Sabrina Caires, BSN, RN, CANS
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers BSN programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Save up to 30%* on tuition with the RN-to-BSN Tuition Advantage Grant (*see Chamberlain website for details).
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
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
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, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
What Do Aesthetic Nurses Do?
Aesthetic nurses help plastic surgeons and dermatologists provide cosmetic procedures. These healthcare procedures -- whether invasive or non-invasive -- help improve their patient’s appearance.
In some cases, patients seek treatment for medical purposes; for others, the procedures can provide a boost of confidence and a more youthful look.
Whether working full-time or part-time, the job responsibilities that aesthetic/cosmetic nurses perform can include:
- Consulting with patients, including scheduling, interviewing, and medical screening prior to services being provided.
- Examination of the skin to assess both aging and other health problems.
- Performing pre-operative and post-operative care.
- Assisting the physician with procedures and surgeries.
- Preparation and sterilization of instruments and surgery suites.
- Administering injections of Botox and fillers, performing chemical peels, laser hair removal, dermabrasion, CoolSculpting, removing tattoos, and more.
Aesthetic/cosmetic nurses work in dermatology and plastic surgery offices and medspas, and they may also assist in hospital operating rooms. Occasional emergencies and adverse reactions to treatments can create some schedule unpredictability for surgery nurses, but in most cases, aesthetic nurses work regular hours with no night shifts.
In addition to working in an environment dedicated to improving patient quality of life, aesthetic nurses can also build long-term relationships with patients who return to maintain existing treatments or investigate additional treatments.
Aesthetic Nurse Specialties
One of the best parts of becoming an aesthetic nurse is the many unique opportunities to help patients feel and look their best! Aesthetic nursing is a rapidly expanding field due to the introduction of new treatments and technologies, and there are many exciting specialties to choose from.
💉Nurse Injector
Nurse injectors specialize in cosmetic treatments designed to improve or enhance the appearance of the face via needle injections.
Some types of cosmetic injectables that a nurse may specialize in include:
- Botulinum toxins, such as Botox or Dysport, to temporarily smooth facial muscles to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
- Dermal Fillers such as hyaluronic acid (HA) or calcium hydroxylapatite to fill or “sculpt” the face
- Fat reduction injections to break down “double chin” fat, such as Kybella.
💆🏻♀️ Laser Facial Nurse
Nurses who perform laser facials can help patients minimize wrinkles, reduce acne scarring, and help improve skin discoloration due to too much sun exposure. Most laser facials remove the skin's outer layers to expose new skin underneath and help promote and stimulate collagen production.
Nurses who use any type of laser equipment must accurately assess each patient's skin type and determine the most appropriate treatment and level settings. Types of laser facials include:
- CO2 laser treatments
- Intense pulse light (IPL) treatments
- Pulsed-dye laser treatments
- Fractional laser treatments
🖋️ Tattoo Removal Nurse
This type of aesthetic nurse specializes in removing tattoos using laser technology.
💥 Laser Hair Removal Nurse
A laser hair removal nurse specializes in using laser technology to remove unwanted hair.
As one of the most popular and growing aesthetic procedures today, laser hair removal is an increasingly popular specialty for aesthetic nurses.
Nurses who perform laser hair removal must provide safe and effective treatment and review aftercare instructions with patients. Most treatments require multiple visits over several months to a year, so many laser hair removal nurses get to know their patients well over time.
🧴 Chemical Peel Nurse
A chemical peel is an aesthetic treatment that involves applying a chemical solution to the skin, causing the outer layers of the skin to peel off.
👙 Non-Surgical Body Treatment Nurse
Many cosmetic nurses enjoy giving non-surgical body treatments because they can help their patients feel better about themselves and maybe even inspire them to improve their health.
Types of non-surgical cosmetic body treatments include:
- Radiofrequency: for cellulite reduction
- Contouring procedures: treatments that induce powerful muscle contractions, such as Emsculpt
- Fat reduction: a procedure that “freezes fat,” such as Coolsculpting
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. The school offers BSN programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education. Save up to 30%* on tuition with the RN-to-BSN Tuition Advantage Grant (*see Chamberlain website for details).
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
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
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, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Arkansas State University offers flexible nursing programs ranging from BSN pathways to advanced MSN and DNP degrees designed to support career growth at every stage. With strong online options and a focus on real-world leadership and practice, A-State prepares nurses to thrive in today’s evolving healthcare environment.
ACEN
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Aesthetic Nurse Resources
Next Steps to Becoming an Aesthetic Nurse
Beyond reading job descriptions, one of the best ways to determine whether medical aesthetics is the career path for you is to speak directly to a cosmetic/aesthetic nurse currently practicing within a private practice or medical spa.
You can also reach out to pharmaceutical companies that sell fillers or Botox, as some offer free training and resources for nurses as an incentive to sell their product in medspas, etc., where those RNs will go on to work.
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$70,000 - $90,000 Aesthetic/Cosmetic Non-Bedside RN
