How to Become a Med Spa Nurse
A med spa nurse administers aesthetic treatment, advises patients on regimens, and supports patients’ appearance goals. Similar to an aesthetic nurse, the role combines science and art, with a dash of interpersonal skills. Think you’d enjoy working in a med spa as a nurse? Learn more about the role and how to get started.
The med spa industry has boomed in recent years and is projected to continue growing. As aesthetic treatments have grown more affordable, there’s more demand for medical providers to manage regimens. Treatments and procedures that are common to med spas include the following:
- Dermal fillers
- Botox (Botulinum toxin) injections
- Chemical peels
- Laser hair removal
- Dermaplaning
- Facials
- Tattoo removals
- Body contouring
What Is a MedSpa Nurse and What Do They Do?
Med spa nurses perform and support nonsurgical cosmetic procedures in a spa-like outpatient setting. They typically work under the supervision of a physician or medical director, and their responsibilities vary depending on the services the spa offers and the nurse’s training. While they don’t perform surgery, med spa nurses are highly skilled in administering injectable treatments and using specialized equipment.
Common duties in this role include:
- Performing client consultations and assessing skin or treatment goals.
- Administering injectables like Botox and dermal fillers.
- Performing or assisting with laser treatments, microneedling, and chemical peels.
- Providing post-treatment care instructions and monitoring outcomes.
- Ensuring proper documentation and maintaining client safety.
- Educating clients on skincare products and ongoing maintenance routines.
Because clients often return for repeat procedures or maintenance regimens, med spa nurses have the opportunity to build ongoing relationships with patients and help them feel comfortable and confident throughout the process.
Strengths Required for This Role
To thrive in a med spa setting, nurses need a unique blend of clinical skill and personal finesse. Here are a few standout traits a med spa nurse needs:
- Strong interpersonal skills: You’ll work closely with clients who may be nervous or self-conscious. Being warm, approachable, and a good listener builds trust and helps your clients have a good experience.
- Attention to detail: Administering injectables and laser treatments requires precision — small errors can lead to complications or patient dissatisfaction.
- Professional discretion: Patients value privacy when it comes to cosmetic procedures. A med spa nurse needs to handle client interactions with sensitivity and confidentiality.
Pros and Cons of Being a Med Spa Nurse
Considering a move to a med spa? Here are some of the potential benefits and drawbacks of this career:
Benefits:
- Improved work-life balance: Med spas typically operate during regular daytime hours, aren’t open on weekends or holidays, and don’t tend to work on-call shifts.
- Less stress: Compared to acute or post-acute care, med spas generally have a calmer, more predictable setting with fewer emergencies and emotionally taxing situations.
Drawbacks:
- Competition and self‑marketing demands: Breaking into the field can be difficult. New nurses may pay out of pocket for training, and if you want to open your own business, you’ll need networking and marketing skills to build clientele.
- Pressure to maintain a certain image and sell products: Successful med spa nurses typically need personal branding skills, and sales can be a much bigger element of this role than other specialties.
Med Spa Nurse: Salary Expectations
Aesthetic and med spa nurses earn an average income of about $51,000 per year. Keep in mind that whether you have an RN or LPN license has an impact on your income. Experience is another determining factor as well because patients may prefer injectors they know or have heard of from others. Tipping is also more common in this specialty than in others, which can drive up your income.
Another major factor is your location. Check out roles in the states with the highest average incomes for RNs:
How to Become a Med Spa Nurse: 4 Steps
Aesthetic medicine is an exciting field for nurses who enjoy combining hands-on care with beauty and wellness. Whether you’re an LPN or RN, you can transition into this specialty with the right blend of training, licensure, and experience. If you’re already a licensed nurse, skip ahead to step three to learn how to break into this field.
Step 1: Nursing School
To become a nurse, you’ll need to complete specialized education and training requirements. But there’s more than one type of nurse and more than one type of nursing degree. Check out your options below:
- Licensed practical nurse (LPN) training: A year-long diploma program that prepares you to administer basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or other provider. The downside to shorter training is that LPNs have a smaller scope of practice and can work in fewer practice settings than RNs.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): A 2-year program that prepares you for direct patient care in a range of clinical settings as an RN.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): A 4-year program that prepares you to become an RN, with the addition of more coursework in leadership, research, and more. A BSN prepares you to work in a broader range of settings than the ADN and is preferred by many employers.
Step 2: Earn Your RN License
After graduation, there’s one more major hurdle to complete — passing the National Council Licensure Exam. The NCLEX assesses whether you’re ready to practice nursing. To take it, you’ll need to apply with your state board of nursing and schedule your exam. Many students purchase test prep tools, and your school may also offer NCLEX prep support.
Step 3: Gain Experience
Depending on where you live, you may be able to enter med spa nursing as a new grad nurse. Look for spas that offer additional training for new grads who are interested in this role. Some nurses start by assisting a provider, while others are hired to administer injectables and treatments directly. Check out the latest aesthetic nurse jobs for specifics.
If you have trouble finding med spa roles for new grads, you may need to gain experience in another area. Consider working in areas like dermatology or ambulatory surgery to build up your patient care skills. You may also want to shadow med spa clinicians to better understand the role and network with providers.
Step 4: Become a Certified Med Spa Nurse
Certification is mandatory for some med spa nurses, but not always. Some roles may require you to be certified before being hired. The leading training and certifying organizations in this specialty include:
- American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (AAAMS)
- International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses (ISPAN)
Some med spa nurses eventually go on to open their own businesses or become independent contractors, so this role can open up entrepreneurial options down the road. Learn more about being a nurse entrepreneur.
Another relevant credential is that of a Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS).
Med Spa Nursing FAQ
Can an RN open a med spa?
The answer depends on where you live. In North Carolina, for example, an RN cannot own a med spa, but in Arizona, they can with oversight from a physician or NP. Check with your local laws for details.
Do med spa nurses make home visits?
It depends on the company they work for, but they certainly can. RNs who own their own med spa businesses may make home visits to minimize the cost of a physical office and provide convenience for clients. Learn more about concierge nursing.
Find Roles in Med Spas and More
Looking for something new? Whether you’d like to become a med spa nurse or look into other options, IntelyCare makes it easy to find your next opportunity. Learn about personalized job notifications that alert you to fresh roles in your area.