Are you training to become a nurse or in the final years of your nursing course?
Does the idea of helping people realize their aesthetic goals appeal to you? If yes, then you are a suitable candidate to become a cosmetic nurse.
A career in cosmetic nursing is dynamic, challenging, and in the end, very much fulfilling.
As more and more people are interested in laser treatments, BOTOX treatments, scar removals, and hair removals, cosmetic nursing has become a standout career opportunity in the last decade.
Although the process of becoming a cosmetic nurse might seem very lengthy, it is one worth going for.
A professional course from a reputed institution is the first step in that process.
As per working professionals, a student should enroll in an institute that offers a dynamic range to the course and offers internship opportunities.
With an established presence for more than fifteen years and competent faculties, cpdinstitute.com.au offers a universal outlook in the course curriculum.
If you are considering a career in cosmetic nursing, here are three steps that will guide you make it easier for you to decide-
- Earn your nursing degree:
The first step to becoming a cosmetic or aesthetic nurse is to earn your registered nursing degree from a reputed institution. There are two specific courses designed for this.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the easiest way to become a registered nurse in Australia.
It is a three-year course, after which you have to get a registered license to practice as a nurse.
Furthering your academic qualification by getting a masters’ degree is always advisable.
You can also opt for a diploma course. A graduate diploma in cosmetic nursing will enable you to perform laser and light treatment, micro-needling, and other intricate medical procedures.
Furthermore, this will also train you to perform dermal therapy and cosmetic therapy.
You’ll be able to perform complex tasks like injecting dermal fillers, skin boosters, and other collagen-based treatments.
Top universities offer practical experience during the specialization course.
Besides, you might get additional training on chemical peel, fat grafting, liposuction, and dermal filler under registered physicians.
- Get a nursing license:
After getting a nursing degree, you need to obtain a nursing license. You have to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) to get a nursing license. AHPRA frames policies and guidelines for registered health practitioners in Australia.
Getting a license does not allow you to practice as an aesthetic nurse. You need to have at least two years of experience working under a plastic surgeon before starting your practice.
To start working under a registered practitioner, you have to apply for nursing internship programs preferable while being in school. If your internship needs you to move across state borders, you must satisfy additional criteria (if there are any) set by the state.
- Get certified as a cosmetic nurse:
The next and final step in becoming a cosmetic nurse is to get a certificate by completing a graduate diploma in cosmetic nursing.
It takes ten months of full-study; alternatively, you can also opt for a correspondent course which takes twenty months of study.
The benefit is you can work and complete your degree simultaneously.
A graduate student must also have a mandatory 76-hour stint in any clinic to qualify as a registered cosmetic nurse.
The best way to do this is to join as a part-time nurse in any medical spa or plastic surgery clinic. You will fill in for a registered cosmetic nurse or help her in daily work.
You can learn basic functions like assessing skin-aging, post-operative care, and administering injectables. As a part-timer, you can continue with your study simultaneously.
Furthermore, this will allow you to be a part of the Australasian College of Aesthetic Medicine’s Cosmetic Nursing membership.
Although not a mandatory step, this certification will give you an edge over other candidates while applying for a job.
Whether to remove a tattoo or get rid of a scar, everything has become an achievable goal with the advancement of cosmetic nursing.
Aesthetic nurses offer that opportunity to their patients and at the same time earn a handsome amount. As an aspiring nurse or a registered nurse, is there anything more you can ask for!