If you’re training to become a nurse and love helping people look and feel their best, you are a strong candidate to become an aesthetic nurse. As is the case for any nursing specialty, becoming a certified aesthetic nurse specialist takes years of study and practical training. However, the long-term benefits can be significant.
After successfully completing hands-on training, aesthetic nurses can perform a range of cosmetic procedures, including:
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Dermal fillers
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Botulinum toxin injections (Botox®)
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Tattoo removal
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Laser skin treatment
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Hair removal
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Liposuction and other body contouring procedures
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Aesthetic surgeries, such as scar removal
Aesthetic training courses, such as the ones available at Empire Medical, provide opportunities to learn all of these core competencies as well as advanced surgical procedures, injection techniques, and management skills.
So, how long does it take to become an aesthetic nurse? The process begins well before you ever enroll in your first training program, or even before you enroll in nursing school. In this guide, we’ll cover what exactly an aesthetic nurse is, what steps are needed to become one, how much you can expect to earn in the field, and other burning questions.
Steps to Become a Certified Aesthetic Nurse
Becoming a certified aesthetic nurse typically takes about four to seven years from the day you enroll in nursing school until the day you pass your Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board exam and officially earn your certification. The exact time frame of how long it takes to be an aesthetic nurse depends mainly on your nursing program (nursing degree type) and how long you work under a board-certified physician before taking your aesthetic nursing exam.
Because aesthetic nursing is a competitive field, it helps to think about the journey in phases. First is your core nursing education. Following that is early bedside experience and focused aesthetic training. The final step is sitting for your certification exam, where you can officially become an aesthetic nurse.
Understanding the timeline and phases can help you get a better sense of what you’re getting into if you decide to pursue this career path, and can help you develop a clear roadmap of what is needed for success.
Complete Your Nursing Degree
The first step for anyone wondering how to become an esthetician nurse is to obtain a nursing degree. Aspiring aesthetic nurses have several degree options available to them. The most common are:
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Associate’s degree in nursing: Known as an ADN, this two-year degree is the “basic” form of certification that is a prerequisite for working as a licensed nurse in the United States. ADN holders can work as aesthetic nurses, but their earning power is typically lower, and they may be underqualified for certain jobs.
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Bachelor’s degree in nursing: Known as a BSN, this four-year degree is a standard certification for most nurses. BSNs command higher starting salaries than ADNs and typically have more job opportunities available due to their additional education and experience.
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Master’s degree in nursing: Known as an MSN (master’s of science in nursing), this five-year degree is increasingly favored by demanding employers. An MSN is different from a nurse practitioner (NP) degree, which requires an MSN plus specialized clinical training. However, MSNs still enjoy higher starting salaries and more career opportunities than ADNs or BSNs.
Pass the NCLEX-RN and Gain Required Experience in a Core Competency
After completing your chosen nursing degree program, your next step is to study and pass the NCLEX-RN nursing exam.
This licensing examination is required to become licensed to practice as a nurse anywhere in the United States. Passing the NCLEX-RN nursing exam still does not make you a formally certified aesthetic nurse, but it is an important next step. Once you’re licensed to work as a nurse in the U.S., you’ll still need to gain two years of experience working under a plastic surgeon or other board-certified physician in one of the four core competencies for aesthetic nursing. These include:
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Plastic, aesthetic, or cosmetic surgery
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Dermatology
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Facial plastic surgery
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Ophthalmology
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You’ll need to spend at least 1,000 hours specifically working in one of these four core competencies in order to be formally certified. You can do this simultaneously — that is, working under the same physician you’re using to gain the requisite two years’ experience.
However, in order to gain the necessary experience, you’ll need to secure a job with a practice or health system that’s actively hiring nurses in your preferred discipline. This often requires extensive networking (preferably while you’re still attending nursing school) and likely a multi-round interview process before securing the position.
You may need to relocate in order to land your first job in the field. If you move states, you’ll need to complete any additional certifications necessary to require proper licensure in your new state.
To increase your chances of quickly finding a job or internship that gains you the requisite aesthetic nursing experience, you can enroll in a physician-led aesthetician certification course or course packages. Additionally, keeping professional profiles up to date and reaching out to board-certified professionals may help you land a position.
This early clinical experience is also where you will begin to see what the day-to-day process is like for aesthetic nurses. This can include triaging patients, assisting with injectables, setting up laser equipment, educating patients on pre- and post-care, supporting physicians during procedures, and more.
Shadowing days, per-diem shifts, and PRN roles can all help you explore different practice models and decide whether you prefer fast-paced surgical environments or the slower, consultative rhythm of a boutique medical spa.
Pursue Your Formal Aesthetic Nursing Certification
After gaining a minimum of two years of relevant practice experience, you can take the final step in the process of becoming an aesthetic nurse. While it’s not required that you pursue a former aesthetic nursing board certification to work as a nurse in an aesthetic subspecialty, doing so affords you more earning power and career advancement opportunities.
The Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board administers board certification exams for two types of aesthetic nurses: Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse (CPSN) and Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS). To officially obtain one of these certifications, you’ll need to take and pass the appropriate certification exam.
These credentials signal to employers and patients that you meet nationally recognized standards for safety and competence in aesthetic practice. If you later decide to advance into a provider role, such as an aesthetic nurse practitioner, your CANS or CPSN background can strengthen applications to graduate nursing programs and aesthetic nurse practitioner certification pathways.
Nurses who want to accelerate their preparation often enroll in physician-led aesthetic courses like the ones provided by Empire Medical that provide structured didactic education, hands-on practice with injectables and devices, and up-to-date guidance on regulations and scope.
What Is an Aesthetic Nurse? And Other Questions Answered
Before making a decision about whether aesthetics is the best career path for you, you may wonder how long it takes to become an aesthetic nurse, what the day-to-day is like, or how the role differs from traditional nursing.
Here are some of the most common questions people ask when exploring a career in aesthetic medicine.
What Is an Aesthetic Nurse? What Do Aesthetic Nurses Do?
The role of aesthetic nurses includes assisting cosmetic surgeons and other aesthetic practitioners in their duties. These responsibilities may include:
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Managing patient intake, including patient screening, interviews, and pre-treatment examinations
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Preparing equipment and medications for cosmetic procedures
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Assisting physicians and surgeons during cosmetic surgeries and treatments
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Performing minimally invasive cosmetic treatments, such as Botox and dermal filler injections, laser skin treatments, and tattoo removal
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Conducting follow-up visits and providing post-procedure care
In many practices, aesthetic nurses also play a key role in treatment planning and help patients choose between injectable, laser, and surgical options based on their goals and medical history. Over time, this helps them develop a refined understanding of facial anatomy, skin health, and aging patterns.
How Much Do Aesthetic Nurses Earn?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for a registered nurse in the United States was about $75,000 in 2020. Starting salaries for aesthetic nurses tend to be lower than the national average, but compensation may also include productivity-based bonuses, revenue sharing, or incentives tied to injectable and skincare sales. Nurse pay also varies by region, with higher cost-of-living areas delivering higher salaries on average.
Is the Field of Aesthetic Nursing Growing?
Overall, the nursing field is growing faster than the wider job market by a rate of about 7% per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Aesthetic nurses can find employment in a variety of medical settings such as aesthetician clinics, cosmetic surgery practices, medical spas, and more. Due to increasing demand for cosmetic treatments like Botox, dermal fillers, and invasive aesthetic surgical procedures, aesthetic nurses are likely to be in short supply for the foreseeable future.
This growth is driven in part by patients seeking non-surgical options, preventive “prejuvenation” strategies, and convenient in-office procedures with limited recovery time. When evaluating your career options, examine long-term stability with sustained demand for the profession to determine if the training and education are worth it for you.
Do Aesthetic Nurses Need to Complete Continuing Education Requirements?
The Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board requires formally certified aesthetic nurses (CANS or CPSN) to complete continuing education requirements (practice requirements) in preparation for recertification every three years or retake the appropriate board certification exam in lieu of continuing education. For nurses in active practice, the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board requires at least 45 contact hours (continuing education training hours) with at least two hours specifically devoted to patient safety and 30 hours devoted to the four core aesthetic nursing specialties.
Beyond these minimums, many aesthetic nurses may also choose to pursue ongoing workshops and training to stay current on emerging products and techniques. Regularly updating your skills allows you to command stronger compensation and helps you stand out in competitive marketplaces.
Taking the First Step Toward a Career in Aesthetic Nursing
Aesthetic nursing blends clinical skill with artistry, providing a unique career opportunity. While it requires commitment and extensive training, dedicated aesthetic nurses can build careers that are rewarding both professionally and financially. If you feel drawn to this career path, start by taking the first steps towards planning your education and finding hands-on coursework opportunities.
