Ariella Jolly, DNP, FNP-BC

Nurse Types / Aesthetic/Cosmetic Nurse

An aesthetic, or cosmetic, nurse is a healthcare provider who help clients enhance, improve or restore their features. This can include anything from assisting with face lifts to administering B12 shots. There are constantly new procedures and cutting-edge technologies for aesthetic nurses to offer their patients, making this an exciting field to work in. 

A career in nursing can lead you down so many rewarding paths – aesthetic nursing is certainly one of them!

In this article, we will discuss:

• What is an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse?
• What do aesthetic nurses do?
• Where do aesthetic nurses work?
• What are specific types of aesthetic nurses?
• How do you become an aesthetic nurse in 3 steps?
• What are the additional requirements of aesthetic nurses? 
• What are the salary and career outlooks for aesthetic nurses?

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What is an aesthetic/cosmetic nurse?

An aesthetic nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who is highly trained and knowledgeable in state of the art technologies to help clients reach their aesthetic needs. Aesthetic nurses work in outpatient ambulatory settings, providing cosmetic dermatologic procedures. 

Qualities of a successful aesthetic nurse

Aesthetic nurses are detail oriented, self starters who are passionate about cosmetic dermatology. They have to know about the dermatologic treatments offered at their facility and be able to educate their clients. They also need to be good at sharing information with potential clients who are in the market for a skin enhancement procedure. 

Aesthetic nurses work in a collaborative team environment. This means they need great communication skills in order to work in this atmosphere.

What do aesthetic nurses do?

Most commonly, aesthetic nurses perform in-office procedures including:

• Laser hair removal
• Injections such as cosmetic dermal fillers
• IV fluid infusions
• Skin rejuvenation procedures
• Tattoo removal

They spend a lot of time listening to potential clients and explaining the services offered. There is a significant focus on sales and customer service, so client relations is a big part of what aesthetic nurses do. 

A day in the life of an aesthetic nurse

The average day for an aesthetic nurse includes:

• Performing procedures
• Educating patients on different treatment options
• Calling interested clients
• Making follow-up phone calls
• Providing high quality customer service 

The schedule of a medical spa or dermatology office may run on a typical 9-5 day, with potential for evening or weekend hours. Some aesthetic nurses also attend promotional events and support a company’s social media presence. 

Common conditions treated by aesthetic nurses

The most common conditions treated by an aesthetic nurse include:

• Age wrinkles
• Varicose and spider veins
• Fat removal
• Vitamin B12 deficiencies
• Unwanted dark hair 

Depending on the scope of services offered where you work, you may have a physician on your team who provides more plastic surgery procedures. The treatments may include face lifts, nose reshaping, breast augmentation, liposuction, and abdominoplasty. 

Where do aesthetic nurses work?

Typically, aesthetic nurses work in a cosmetic dermatology practice, or a medical spa. You can also find aesthetic nurses at a dermatology office, skin surgery center, or an aesthetic medicine concierge practice.

Aesthetic nurses often work with a plastic surgeon, dermatologist or dermatology nurse practitioner. 

Depending on where you work, you may work directly under the supervision of an aesthetic nurse practitioner.

What are specific types of aesthetic nurses?

There are aesthetic nurses who focus more on cosmetic fillers, those who perform IV infusions, and those offering an array of other services.

Although there are not specific differentiations between types of aesthetic nurses, it is easy to find jobs requiring a specific niche of skills. Medical spa versus medical office, and skin procedures offered are the main differentiating factors. 

This difference may also determine which certification is right for you through the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board. 

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How do you become an aesthetic nurse in 3 steps?

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

First, you’ll need to become a registered nurse. There are different ways to achieve this, so you’ll want to look into choosing the best degree program to fit your needs.

Earn a BSN degree 

To set yourself up for success, it is best to have your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Many cosmetic dermatology practices and medical spas do hire nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) but having completed your BSN will set you apart. 

There are many pathways to achieve this. Bridge programs are here to help. One example is the ADN to BSN degree program.

Another bridge program in the RN to BSN. This allows you to continue working as a nurse while earning your degree.

Pass the NCLEX exam

After completing a nursing program, you will be prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam. The exam is 75-145 questions online by computerized adaptive testing (CAT). This means the test is individualized based on which questions you answer correctly or incorrectly.

Each candidate gets up to 5 hours to complete the exam. The majority of questions are multiple choice, but other question formats exist as well. 

If you do not pass the NCLEX exam, you will receive an exam report card that shows how you performed in each exam area. If you desire to retest, you will need to re-register and wait 45 days between exam dates. 

Once you pass this national exam, you’ll need to apply for your nursing license in the state where you plan to work. Check to see if your state is part of the nurse licensure compact (NLC). This is especially important if you plan to work in multiple states.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Helpful skills and experience

Plastic surgery experience is very helpful in pursuing a career change to be an aesthetic nurse. Most jobs are looking for a registered nurse who has experience in a related industry, especially if there is a focus on customer service. It is also strongly preferred to have sales experience.

Changing specialty to an aesthetic nurse

Let’s say you’ve worked on an inpatient cardiology floor for 5 years and are looking to become an aesthetic nurse. You can start by gaining experience as a nurse in general surgery, plastic surgery, or ENT. 

A certification as an aesthetic nurse will strengthen your knowledge and set your resume apart from other applicants. It can also be helpful to shadow an experienced aesthetic nurse to see what their day-to-day work looks like. You can also network and ask nurses questions about their career paths in becoming an aesthetic nurse.  

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

You can obtain certification through the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board. You must have completed at least 1,000 hours working in Plastic/Aesthetic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, or Facial Plastic Surgery to be eligible to take one of their certification exams: 

• Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS)
• Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse (CPSN)

What are additional requirements of aesthetic nurses? 

There are several aesthetic nurse jobs that require you to have your basic life support certification up to date. Consider completing free CEUs to help you prepare for this job transition. 

What are the salary and career outlooks for aesthetic nurses?

Nurses are vital to the healthcare workforce. The outlook for the nursing profession in 2022 is very positive. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the growth for RNs is expected to be 6% between 2021 and 2031.

Salaries vary by state for registered nurses. The mean national income for aesthetic nurses is $88,474 a year. This salary depends on location, education level, and experience. Aesthetic nurses should consider where they want to live, and the highest paying cities in the US for all registered nurses.

When looking at aesthetic nurse salaries, it is important to look beyond the hourly rate. Some positions may include bonuses, commission for sales, and other compensation on top of the hourly rate.  

Aesthetic nurse salary by state

• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Texas
• Washington

Job satisfaction

A career as an aesthetic nurse can be very rewarding. Aesthetic nurse jobs can offer a lot of autonomy and allow the nurse to foster strong relationships with clients.

Some of the other benefits include:

• Work-life balance
• Great pay
• Part- and full-time work
• Responsibilities beyond direct patient care

Work-life balance is a big draw for nurses looking to make a switch to this field. Often the schedule of an aesthetic nurse follows more traditional work hours. Nurses might have the ability to design their own schedule and work when it fits into their life.

There can be opportunities for overtime but do not require a nurse to sign up for 12-hour shifts.

Next steps 

After you’ve worked as an aesthetic nurse, you may start looking into other ways to advance your career. One option is to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). There are also many continuing education courses available through Incredible Health. 

The transition to an aesthetic nurse can be a wonderful career change. You will gain new knowledge and experience in a fast paced, growing healthcare industry. Let Incredible Health help you land your dream job!

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Nurse Types / IVF Nurse

Becoming an IVF (in vitro fertilization) nurse can be exciting and rewarding. These nurses are also known as reproductive fertility nurses because they work in the field of reproductive medicine or reproductive endocrinology. 

Reproductive health is a fascinating field because treatments are cutting edge. It uses the most up-to-date research and technologies for patients receiving fertility counseling or treatment.

• What is an IVF nurse?
• What do IVF nurses do?
• Where do IVF nurses work?
• How do you become an IVF nurse in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of IVF nurses? 
• What are the salary and career outlooks for IVF nurses?

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What is an IVF nurse?

An IVF nurse is a registered nurse. They typically collaborate with reproductive endocrinologists to support patients through fertility treatments, as well as patients experiencing menopause.  An IVF nurse advises and treats patients on matters such as: 

• Conception
• Fertility
• Reproduction

Qualities of a successful IVF nurse

An IVF nurse is well versed in reproductive technologies. They can perform a variety of outpatient procedures, and are typically skilled at phlebotomy.  

IVF nurses are known for:

• Strong communication
• Listening skills
• Empathy 
• Compassion 
• Customer service skills 

What do IVF nurses do?

IVF nurses educate and treat patients on matters such as fertility, conception, and reproduction. They also collaborate with fertility specialists to ensure the treatment plan best matches the patient. New technologies mean more options for patients. 

An IVF nurse can support patients by educating them on certain aspects of reproductive health. They explain in detail what treatment options are available to couples.

Nurses can also perform or assist in a variety of procedures in a reproductive health office. Some of those procedures include intrauterine insemination (IUI), and fresh or frozen embryo transfer. 

A day in the life of an IVF nurse

Nurses provide direct patient care in an outpatient, clinic setting. A day as an IVF nurse includes performing a thorough history and intake on new patients. The nurse will answer patient questions and triage patients who need further guidance. 

Nurses will also offer education and counseling to patients on fertility treatments. At most fertility clinics, IVF nurses also assist with patient visits, perform phlebotomy, and assist or perform procedures.  

Most IVF nurses work traditional outpatient clinic hours. This is much like a Monday through Friday, 9-5 schedule. Yet many IVF nurse positions offer the flexibility to work four 10-hour shifts per week. Sometimes there is a need to work weekends as patients may need to have a blood draw or procedure on a specific day of their menstrual cycle. 

Common conditions treated by IVF nurses

The most common conditions an IVF nurse treats are related to infertility and conception. Some of those conditions include male infertility and require a semen analysis. This testing is done at a qualified lab to assess the semen for causes of infertility such as low sperm concentrations, poor sperm motility, morphology or vitality. 

There can be other causes of male infertility that require endocrine testing. This requires a blood sample to assess hormone levels and possibly genetic testing. There may be a need for the patient to get a scrotal ultrasound to view the male reproductive organs in more detail.

Type 2 diabetes, genetic conditions, being overweight, and infection are some of the known causes of male infertility. 

The female infertility conditions may include problems with ovulation and the menstrual cycle, or conditions affecting the cervix, uterus or fallopian tubes. An endocrine evaluation with blood work may be necessary to assess hormone levels at various stages of the menstrual cycle. 

Some specific causes of female infertility include a tubal occlusion, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), primary ovarian failure or low egg count, and scarring from infection. 

Where do IVF nurses work?

There are a number of places where IVF nurses work. You can find an IVF nurse working in:

• Outpatient fertility clinics
• OB/GYN offices
• Egg donor centers
• Hospitals
• Research labs

How do you become an IVF nurse in 3 steps?

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

The first step in becoming an IVF Nurse is to complete your nursing education. There are several paths you can take to do this. See which nursing career path is right for you. 

Once you’ve identified the right educational path, you’ll need to complete any prerequisites and then apply. There are many schools, and each may have their unique set of qualities and requirements.

Nursing education programs can take anywhere from 11 months to 4 years. When you’ve completed your education, you’ll sit for the national registered nurse exam called the NCLEX. 

Earn a BSN degree

Although some IVF nurses complete their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), it is more common to see Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)-prepared nurses working in IVF clinics. If you have your ADN and wish to obtain your BSN there are bridge programs available such as the ADN to BSN.

If you are already a registered nurse and wish to complete your BSN there is an RN to BSN program. For those with a BSN in an unrelated field, you can complete the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) in under 2 years.

Pass the NCLEX-RN exam

After completing your degree, you will need to sit for the national exam called the NCLEX-RN. Your school will likely prepare you to pass the exam by offering a review course, practice tests, and study materials. 

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Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Helpful skills and experience

Most IVF nurse job positions require a minimum of one year of experience as a registered nurse. Experience with electronic health records is also a must- especially as you will be coordinating care for the patient. You will need to be fluent in how to navigate their chart. 

In order to become an IVF nurse, it is helpful to have experience in labor and delivery, mom baby/postpartum, or in the NICU. Although IVF nurses do not help deliver babies, the knowledge and experience from working in these fields will make you a stronger IVF nurse. 

You can also gain experience by working in an OB/GYN practice as well. Although experience as a nurse in these areas is not required, it can help set you apart from the competition.  

Changing specialty to an IVF nurse

It can feel like a leap of faith to jump into a new nursing specialty! But with increased rates of nurse burnout, and the intrigue of the IVF nurse role, it’s absolutely worth considering changing your nursing specialty. 

In order to change specialties, consider gaining experience in fertility or reproductive science. You can also talk with IVF staff to gain insight into what this specialty is all about. See if you can shadow an IVF nurse for a day.

When transitioning to a new field, you’ll want to make sure you have obtained all the necessary certifications and licensures required for the role. 

Closely related fields

IVF nurses are a type of fertility nurse. There are many closely related fields if you are looking to change specialties. Some include:

• Reproductive fertility nurse
• OB/GYN nursing
• Reproductive endocrinology nurse

Step 3 – Obtain certifications

Although there is no specific certification needed to be an IVF nurse, there are ways to increase your hireability. The American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) offers a certificate course in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. The following certifications are also helpful:

• Inpatient obstetric nursing (RNC-OB)
• Maternal newborn nursing (RNC-MNN)
• Neonatal intensive care nursing (RNC-NIC)- depending on your in-patient nursing experience

What are the additional requirements of IVF nurses?

Patients seeking support for fertility and conception can experience a lot of stress during this process. Like nurses in all fields of healthcare, an IVF nurse must be kind and compassionate, and a great listener.

With the fast-paced technological innovations in fertility care, IVF nurses must stay on top of new research and treatments. 

What are the salary and career outlooks for IVF nurses?

It is an exciting time to be a nurse as nursing is a rapidly growing profession. Nurses help support the management of chronic medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension, so nurses are in high demand! The expected growth is 6% between 2021 and 2031. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses make an average of $39.78 per hour, which comes out to an annual salary of $82,750. This rate can go up or down based on years of experience, certifications, and if the nurse is working in a specialty.  

The average salary for a fertility nurse is $77,186. The top 5 cities are:

Job satisfaction

Job satisfaction varies based on the IVF nurse and where they work. IVF nurses may work more independently than nurses in other outpatient clinics.

The opportunity to help a couple achieve their family planning dreams feels amazing. IVF nurses support, educate, and consult with patients who have high emotional needs. Managing those emotions can lead to increased stress, along with the unpredictability of the fertility treatment outcomes. 

Overall, working in reproductive health is a high demand job that can be very rewarding. 

Next steps

Once you become an IVF nurse, there are many ways you can advance your career. Consider getting your Master of Science in Nursing degree. You can also complete free continuing education courses through Incredible Health. 

The transition to an IVF nurse can be a wonderful career advancement as you will gain new knowledge and experience in healthcare. Let Incredible Health help you land your dream job!

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