How to Become an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

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Written by Ann Real, BSN, RN Content Writer, IntelyCare
An aesthetic nurse practitioner performs a treatment on a patient.

Are you passionate about helping people look and feel their best? Becoming an aesthetic nurse practitioner offers a unique opportunity to transform lives by enhancing confidence and self-esteem. This specialized field combines medical expertise with a creative touch, allowing you to perform procedures like neuromuscular injections, dermal fillers, and laser therapies to enhance clients’ natural beauty.

With the global medical aesthetics market projected to surpass $35 billion by 2030, it’s an exciting time to consider this exciting and rewarding career. This article will walk you through everything you need to know to get started.

Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner: Career Snapshot

  • Mission: Enhance beauty and boost confidence through medical science.
  • Responsibilities: Perform cosmetic treatments like Botox, dermal fillers, and skin rejuvenation procedures.
  • Workplaces: Medical spas, cosmetic surgery clinics, dermatology practices, and wellness centers
  • Path: Nursing degree and specialty experience, followed by a master’s degree and optional specialized certification
  • Length of study: Approximately 6 years

What Is an Aesthetic NP?

An aesthetic nurse practitioner, also known as a cosmetic nurse practitioner, is a healthcare professional who specializes in nonsurgical cosmetic treatments designed to enhance a patient’s appearance. This role requires medical knowledge, patient care skills, and artistic talent to create transformative results — whether it’s smoothing skin, enhancing facial features, or restoring a more youthful look.

Curious about the treatments you’ll be performing? Here are some of the most common noninvasive cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S.:

  • Neuromodulator injections like Botox and Dysport
  • Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm and Restylane
  • Skin resurfacing such as dermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser treatments
  • Skin treatments such as laser hair removal
  • Lip augmentation with injectable materials
  • Non-hyaluronic acid treatments
  • Sclerotherapy
  • Noninvasive skin tightening

In this ever-evolving industry, new treatments are always coming into the spotlight, so you’ll need to stay up to date with the latest beauty trends. From vampire facelifts (platelet-rich plasma treatments) to exosome therapy and microneedling, there’s always something exciting to learn.

Curious about where you might work in this specialty? In states where NPs have full-practice authority, you can start your own business. On the other hand, many aesthetic NPs find employment in settings like:

  • Medical spas
  • Dermatology clinics
  • Cosmetic surgery centers
  • Health and wellness centers
  • Laser and skincare clinics

What Do Aesthetic NPs Do?

This role differs greatly from traditional advanced practice nursing. While you’ll still handle basic tasks like conducting assessments, taking medical histories, and charting, you’ll also be performing highly specialized treatments that require in-depth knowledge of cosmetic procedures. Here’s a breakdown of what aesthetic NPs typically do:

  • Design customized treatment plans that align with the patient’s desired results
  • Administer injectable treatments to smooth wrinkles, restore volume, and enhance facial features.
  • Conduct laser and light-based therapies for skin resurfacing, hair removal, and acne scar reduction.
  • Perform skin rejuvenation and nonsurgical facelifts to improve skin texture, tone, and overall appearance.
  • Deliver body contouring treatments to help clients reduce fat deposits and sculpt their bodies without surgery.
  • Educate patients about aftercare, including managing any potential side effects or recovery time.
  • Stay updated on new beauty trends, continuously expanding their skill set to offer patients the best options available.

How to Become an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

To follow this career, you’ll need to undergo aesthetic nurse practitioner training, which combines advanced nursing skills with the knowledge required to perform cosmetic procedures. Here’s a step-by-step guide to join this unique nursing specialty:

1. Earn a Nursing Degree

The first step is to become a registered nurse (RN). To do this, you’ll need to earn either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This takes about two to four years to complete, depending on your chosen path. While a BSN degree is typically needed to enter NP programs, some nurses may decide to start their careers with an ADN degree and then complete a bridge program, such as RN to BSN while working as a nurse.

2. Obtain a Nursing Licensure

Once you’ve completed your nursing degree, the next step is to obtain your RN licensure by passing the NCLEX-RN exam and fulfilling all requirements set by your state’s nursing board. Think of this step as your final checkpoint, testing your nursing knowledge and clinical skills to ensure you’re ready to provide safe and effective patient care.

3. Gain Experience

To prepare for a career in aesthetic nursing, it’s helpful to gain experience in specialties that teach you key skills such as IV insertion, administering injections, and evaluating patient conditions. Here are some nursing specialties that can set you up for success in your future role:

4. Enroll in a Graduate Program

Your next important milestone is to become a nurse practitioner (NP). Currently, there are no specialized aesthetic nurse practitioner programs. For this reason, aesthetic NPs may begin their careers by completing a family nurse practitioner (FNP) program and then pursuing additional certifications in aesthetics.

When it comes to pursuing an advanced practice nursing degree, you’ll have two options:

No matter which path you choose, make sure to select programs that are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

5. Become a Certified NP

Once you’ve completed your graduate program, you’ll need to take the national board certification exam and apply for your state license. The certifying organization will depend on your chosen NP program. For those who pursued the FNP path, you’ll need to apply for either FNP-BC or FNP-C certification:

  • Family Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (FNP-BC) is a certification granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
  • Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified (FNP-C) is a certification provided by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

6. Complete Specialized Aesthetic NP Training

Your next step is to apply to aesthetic nurse practitioner programs, where you’ll gain hands-on experience with cosmetics treatments and develop a deep understanding of safety protocols. Many training programs also cover aspects of business management and marketing, helping you succeed in both clinical and administrative aspects of aesthetic nursing.

Here are some organizations offering such training:

  • The International Association for Physicians in Aesthetic Medicine (IAPAM) offers a Certified Aesthetic Provider (CAP) program.
  • The Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PCNCB) offers Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) certification.
  • The Dermatology Nurse Practitioner Certification Board (DNPCB) offers Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner (DCNP) certification.

If you’re looking to boost your specialized skills, consider enrolling in training courses from reputable organizations, such as the following:

In this fast-paced beauty world, staying on top of the latest industry trends is key. You can do this by attending nursing conferences, joining specialized professional organizations, and enrolling in continuing education courses so you’re always ahead of the curve.

How Long Does It Take to Become an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner?

To become an aesthetic NP, you’re looking at a commitment of at least seven years. Here’s a breakdown of the timeline:

  • Earning a BSN degree takes about 4 years.
  • Getting an MSN degree takes about 2 years.
  • Specialized training or certification programs take about 1 year.

How Much Do Aesthetic Nurse Practitioners Make?

A typical aesthetic nurse practitioner salary in the U.S. is about $142,000 per year. However, your earnings can vary depending on factors such as education, experience, and whether you own a private practice or work for an employer.

Where you live can make a big difference in your paycheck too. Here are the states where NPs earn the most:

Becoming an Aesthetic NP: FAQs

Can I open my own aesthetic practice as an NP?

It depends on your state’s practice authority. In full-practice states, NPs can operate independently; in others, NPs may need to work under the supervision of a physician.

Can I work in an aesthetic medicine setting as an FNP?

Yes, you can work in an aesthetic medicine setting as an FNP without specialized aesthetic certifications, but there are a few important considerations:

  • Employer requirements: Aesthetic practices will likely prefer or require NPs to have specialized certifications in procedures like neuromuscular injections, dermal fillers, or laser treatments to demonstrate your competency to perform these procedures safely.
  • State scope of practice laws: Your ability to perform aesthetic procedures depends on your state’s nurse practice act.
  • Patient safety and legal protection: Certifications help ensure you’re trained to perform procedures safely and may enhance legal protection in the event of liability claims.

What is the job outlook for aesthetic NPs?

The future looks bright for all nurse practitioners, with employment in the field projected to grow by an impressive 46% over the next decade — far outpacing the average growth across all professions.

Aesthetic vs. dermatology NP: What’s the difference?

While aesthetic NPs specialize in cosmetic procedures like dermal fillers and laser treatments, dermatology NPs diagnose and treat medical skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and skin infections, with some overlap in cosmetic care.

Find Your Best Job Match on IntelyCare

Looking for a rewarding aesthetic nurse practitioner role that matches your expertise and goals? IntelyCare’s personalized job matching connects nurses with rewarding roles that align with their specialized skills, preferences, and aspirations.