What advice do you have for a nursing student who wants to become a Dermatology nurse practitioner?

You need to complete a BSN program and get your RN. Work in a clinical setting that will allow you to develop your assessment skills, technical skills, organizational skills, patient relation/ MD, RN communication skills, pharmaceutical knowledge, and documentation skills. Then research graduate programs in your area of interest. Dermatology is a very challenging specialty. You want to be certain that this is your main interest. Give yourself time and be patient.

Do the research as to what it will take; go for it; don't get stopped no matter WHAT happens in your life; begin again and begin again and begin again until you complete the training; know you CAN but even more important, know you WILL and you will become exactly what you want or choose when it is time to make the choice. ;-)

Ex-Open Heart ICU RN and
Master Certified Coach

I'm a Rn & spa owner. I suggest getting your license in aesthetics. This is the best way to learn skin care, get hands on training, and allow you to perform a wide range of services with the proper license. As a nurse we cannot rely on our license to perform most beauty services. If I client has a reaction or sues, you will have better knowledge on how to treat. Plus your nursing license will not protect you. You would have to be a dermatologist to be fully trained & protected against liability. A license aesthetics would also make you more marketable.

Becoming a dermatology nurse practitioner involves several steps, including education, licensure, and specialized training. Here is a general outline of the process:

1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN):
• Complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, which typically takes four years.
• Ensure the program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam:
• After graduating from a BSN program, pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed registered nurse (RN).
3. Gain Nursing Experience:
• Work as a registered nurse, preferably in dermatology or a related field, to gain clinical experience. Most nurse practitioner programs require 1-2 years of RN experience.
4. Earn a Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Nursing:
• Enroll in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with a focus on becoming a nurse practitioner. Some programs offer specific tracks in dermatology, but if not, choose a family nurse practitioner (FNP) or adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) program.
• These programs typically take 2-4 years to complete and include both coursework and clinical practice.
5. Obtain Nurse Practitioner Certification:
• After completing your graduate program, pass a national certification exam to become a certified nurse practitioner (NP). Certification can be obtained from organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
6. Gain Dermatology-Specific Training:
• Seek additional training and experience in dermatology. This can include working in a dermatology practice, attending specialized workshops, or completing a dermatology nurse practitioner fellowship or residency program.
7. Get Certified in Dermatology (Optional but Beneficial):
• Consider obtaining a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Certification (DCNP) from the Dermatology Nurses’ Association (DNA). This certification requires a minimum of 3,000 hours of dermatology practice as an NP and passing the DCNP exam.
8. Maintain Licensure and Certification:
• Stay current with continuing education requirements and renew your NP and dermatology certifications as required.

By following these steps, you can become a dermatology nurse practitioner and pursue a specialized career in dermatology nursing.

I am a Nurse Practitioner. While I was completing my program 95% of the nurses were hoping to get into Derm which makes it very very competitive. The reason many people want to get into it is because they want to do aesthetics only, and hope to make lots of money out of it. While aesthetics is very lucrative there is way more to being a Dermatology provider than injecting Botox. You’d have to deal with lots of serious conditions like skin cancer and in office procedures like lipomas and cysts removals. Your assessment and interventional skills must be good so you don’t miss anything and obviously leave a “nice” looking scar when doing procedures. You’ll have to finish your BSN and go into a Masters program to become an NP there is currently no Dermatology specific track so you may choose either Family or Acute NP tracks so you can have a wider spectrum if you decide to do anything else in the future. Also, if you want to do aesthetics only, you don’t have to be in a Dermatology office necessarily. Many primary care and Med Spas offer the services which must be rendered by an APRN or MD in most cases, so you may open your job search to those places too. They key is make sure while completing your graduate education you sharpen your assessment skills…and start making connections so you can shadow in your last semester a Derm NP… this way you’ll know if that’s really what you want to do. Good luck!! Wishing you lots of success!

Learn what patients go through - the other point of view. Bad care sucks. Be empathetic and just care.