Cosmetic Nurse School: What It Is & How to Find One
Demand for skilled nurses is accelerating. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people employed as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives is set to jump by 45% between 2020 and 2030.
That’s more than seven times the projected rate of growth for the U.S. labor force during the same time period.
And it’s not just nurse practitioners, anesthetists, and midwives. Demand for aesthetic nurses — also known as cosmetic nurses — is skyrocketing too as the market for minimally invasive cosmetic treatments grows and consumers get more choosy about when, where, and from whom they receive them.
Whether you’re already a registered nurse or you’re looking to make a career change, cosmetic nursing could be right for you. Read on to learn more about what to expect from cosmetic nurse school, where to find appropriate nursing programs, and how to choose a cosmetic nursing specialty that aligns with your skills.
What Is Cosmetic Nurse School?
Cosmetic nurse schools teach credentialed nurses — including registered nurses, LPNs, and NPs — to perform or assist with a range of aesthetic procedures in clinical settings.
Cosmetic nurses generally aren’t permitted to perform surgical procedures that qualify as “traditional” plastic surgery. However, in many states, they can perform or help with minimally invasive cosmetic procedures such as dermal filler and Botox® injections.
Cosmetic nurse schools provide hands-on training in other minimally invasive procedures as well:
- Permanent hair removal
- Tattoo removal
- Chemical peels
- Laser skin treatments
- Scar removal and other aesthetic surgeries
- Liposuction, Coolsculpting, and other fat removal procedures
- Other injectable treatments commonly offered at medical spas, such as MIC/B12 injections
How to Find Cosmetic Nurse Training
Look for accredited training institutions that offer online and in-person instruction in procedures commonly performed or assisted by cosmetic nurses. These courses should:
- Be taught by licensed, board-certified medical professionals
- Include a mix of classroom-based didactic instruction and hands-on training
- Come with comprehensive course materials that participants can review at their convenience
- Confer certification following successful completion
- Count toward continuing medical education requirements for nurses
- Offer the option to continue instruction beyond the introductory level — for example, following up 100-level Botox and filler courses with advanced Botox and filler training
How to Begin Your Cosmetic Nursing Career
High demand for cosmetic nurses means training to become one is well worth the effort.
But it does take time. If you’re not yet a professional nurse, it’ll take longer, as you’ll need to obtain at least an associate’s degree in nursing and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
Even if you’re a nurse already, you’ll need to work under a board-certified physician for two years while logging at least 1,000 hours in one of four aesthetic disciplines:
- Facial plastic surgery
- General plastic surgery
- Dermatology
- Ophthalmology
You’ll then need to earn your official aesthetic nursing certification through the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board. Choose from one of two tracks — Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse (CPSN) or Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) — and pass the required exam.
Finally, you’ll need to maintain your certification by periodically returning to cosmetic nurse school for continuing medical education. Expect to log at least 45 contact hours every three years. And remember to choose your cosmetic nurse school wisely.
