The beauty industry has seen exponential growth in recent years and cosmetic procedures are in ever-increasing demand.

As more patients becoming interested in trialling injectables, laser therapy, and other treatments, cosmetic nurse career opportunities are soaring to new heights.

Self-employed cosmetic nurse, Olivia Khan, told HealthTimes that “it’s a great time to be a cosmetic nurse”.

“I’ve never been busier, which is always a good thing to say. There’s a lot of interest in the procedures, and that’s right across the community now.”

However, while the demand for non-surgical cosmetic procedures continues to expand, so does the public's understanding of the importance of having qualified professionals perform those procedures, in order to reduce the risk of complications.

Nursing is a versatile profession, but whichever path is chosen, a nurse's primary role is to look after the health and wellbeing of their patients.

Cosmetic nursing is no different, with the procedures they perform often playing a role in the confidence and self-esteem of their patients.

What does a cosmetic nurse do?

Cosmetic nurses perform a range of non-surgical procedures to assist patients with their appearance. Procedures include:

Injections

• Botox
• Collagen/other fillers
• Neurotoxin
• Sclerotherapy

Skin treatments

• Microdermabrasion
• Tattoo removal
• Chemical peels
• Light therapy
• Micro-needling

Laser treatments

• Hair removal
• Skin rejuvenation

Ms Khan said she finds cosmetic nursing incredibly rewarding.

“It might not come to mind like it’s the field you get the biggest rush out of, like working in critical care.”

“But I get a real kick out of making patients happy when they see the results they’re looking for. When they say they feel more confident in themselves, and you can see it on their face. I love that.”

“Sometimes, you see a patient who has had a bad experience in the past with a procedure that hasn’t been performed correctly.”

“And being able to give them that positive, safe experience, that makes me feel like I’m doing good.”

Career opportunities

There are numerous career options for cosmetic nurses, including self employment, with many choosing to establish their own beauty clinics or freelance at other establishments.

Cosmetic nurses might also obtain employment at cosmetic medical practices or clinics, cosmetic day hospitals or medical spa facilities.

Benefits of becoming a cosmetic nurse

Once qualified, you can enjoy the following benefits as a plastic surgeons nurse:

• Flexible hours
• Growing industry
• Plentiful job opportunities including contractual work
• Competitive salary
• Career advancement

“A couple of years ago, I became a self-employed practitioner, and it’s the best decision I ever made”, Ms Khan said.

“I feel like I’m driving my own career path, and I get to build my own work schedule, so the flexibility is a big plus.”

“And because of the demand for our services, I still feel really stable job-wise, even though I am working for myself, essentially as a freelancer of sorts.”

How to qualify as a cosmetic nurse

To become a cosmetic nurse in Australia you must first be qualified as a Registered Nurse. RN qualification is usually gained through the completion of a Bachelor of Nursing course, which takes around three years of full time study, however alternate pathways exist for qualified Enrolled Nurses.

The next step is to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, which sets policies and standards and regulates Australia’s registered health practitioners, and ideally, obtain some general nursing experience.

To become a cosmetic nurse, registered nurses must complete a postgraduate qualification such as a graduate diploma in Cosmetic Nursing. This takes around 10 months of full-time study. Students undertaking their postgraduate diploma must also complete 76 hours of clinical placement to graduate.

To view cosmetic nursing courses, click here.

Salary

Salary for a cosmetic nurse will vary depending on their experience, location and employer however salaries in excess of $80,000 are quite common. Many employers offer commission or incentive based packages which can increase earning potential.

For more information on nurse salaries, click here.