There’s little doubt: if you work in the health care sector, you have heard about cosmetic nursing. It is the fastest-growing industry and demands both excellent remuneration and highly skilled workers. Like any field, though, the education it takes to reach your goal needs to be appropriate and of exceptional quality. When asking “how to get into cosmetic nursing”, only a superior cosmetic injectables course will offer you the basis for a lucrative livelihood. It pays to do your research and speak to those already involved in the profession for advice and guidance. Alternatively, a good cosmetics course will provide worthy counsel and answer any questions you may have.
The initial step on your journey to becoming a cosmetic nurse is to pass your Bachelor of Nursing degree from an accredited university. This is your “RNs” – Registered Nursing qualification. There may be prerequisites to entering a degree, such as English proficiency. And while the course fees are costly, some students may be eligible for a loan or a scholarship. Ask the university about what is needed to begin your course.
Your RNs usually take three years full-time, although some universities offer a fast-tracked course that does not pause for holidays and therefore takes less time. The degree must be accredited through ANMAC – the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council. This ensures consistency and standardised learning. Clinical placements are mandatory and allow students to practice what they have learned in classes, usually on live patients in a clinical setting. Just recently, the government decided that eligible students can be paid for placements, reducing the financial burden, as it is expected that students do not work while on placement.
Once the degree is finished and all subjects (including clinical placements) are passed, the student then registers with AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). There are standards to adhere to, such as completing 20 hours of ongoing education, and practising for a minimum time each registration year (from June 1st to May 31st). Registration initially and each year incurs a fee, and records must be kept, as you may be audited. A degree is expensive, and many times, RNs find that despite their arduous study and the dire need for their expertise, the compensation offered by employers can be disheartening. This can lead them to look outside traditional health care settings and into more niche industries such as cosmetic nursing.
Once you have completed your RNs and are successfully registered, it’s time to gain the important background skills needed for a career in cosmetic injectables. Approximately two years’ experience in a relevant field is necessary – working in dermatology, plastic surgery or on a surgical ward will give you the essential knowledge in areas such as establishing a therapeutic patient relationship, clinical skills and reasoning, and basic nursing proficiencies. While earning an income, some prospective cosmetic nurses take on postgraduate studies in injectables. Whether you decide to have a break from study or dive headlong into further education, the time will pass anyway, so soak up the knowledge and create a sound foundation for your cosmetics career. Remember, if you do study, it can potentially count towards the mandatory education requirement, so document and reflect accurately.
By now, you’d be thinking, “Great, but how do I learn to be a cosmetic nurse?”. The first step is researching. Jot down what you want to achieve, and investigate colleges and the courses they offer. The college should be registered; this ensures that what you learn is industry-appropriate and consistent across all institutions. If they offer courses interstate and overseas, this will allow you to travel while working. Travel nursing is a spectacular way to earn a living while seeing the world. The learning outcomes of any cosmetic injectables course should be detailed on their website and include topics such as infection prevention and control, and recognising complications. Take note of what is taught and what isn’t. Do they offer live models to practice on and hold small classes for more intimate learning? Note what the course fees cover – ongoing support once the course is finished will enable any concerns to be addressed by the experts familiar with you.
Training in cosmetic injectables should cover elements such as starting your own business and what is involved to trade legally, as well as legislation relevant to each state with regards to prescribing, storing and administering the cosmetic injectables.
Once you’ve completed your RNs, spent two years gaining valuable experience in a related field and undertaken the appropriate cosmetic nursing course, the next step is employment. Luckily, the industry is always looking for talented aesthetic nurses, so all your hard work should quickly prove fruitful. Make sure you read the terms and conditions of your employment carefully and negotiate a salary befitting your expertise.
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