How to Become an Aesthetic Nurse (2026): Education, Certification & Salary

What Does an Aesthetic Nurse Do?

Aesthetic nurses, also known as cosmetic nurses or esthetician nurses, perform  cosmetic procedures like chemical peels, liposuction, threads, weight-loss injections, microdermabrasion, filler or Botox injections, laser hair removal, and tattoo removal. Throughout these processes, they consult with their clients and provide advice for post-procedure care to ensure the best possible outcomes. 

Aesthetic nursing is an exciting career that can connect you with interesting people. A good aesthetic nurse completes procedures, but they also have a personal touch as they build relationships with their clientele to achieve desired results. Aesthetic nurses also need attention to detail as they perform precise techniques and record everything for their patients’ files.

Career options are also plentiful for aesthetic nurses. They earn a healthy salary nationwide and can work in settings ranging from private practices and medical spas. Keep reading to learn more about what they do, how much they earn, and how to become a cosmetic nurse.

Responsibilities & Daily Tasks

As they help their clients look their best, aesthetic nurses have a lot of day-to-day responsibilities. From initial consultations to performing procedures to post-procedure care, cosmetic nurses are involved in the entire process. Where you work will also influence your daily tasks.

During a typical day, an aesthetic nurse might:

• Learn about their patients’ needs during initial consultations
• Prepare rooms and tools for procedures
• Independently perform minimally invasive procedures
• Observe patient condition
• Keep accurate records
• Provide post-procedure care and instructions to patients

Throughout these tasks, aesthetic nurses must communicate with both patients and physicians. They should know how to talk with other healthcare professionals while ensuring that instructions are clear to clients. Good people skills will help your patients feel comfortable so you can thrive as a cosmetic nurse.

Where do cosmetic nurses work?

Cosmetic nurses have plenty of options when deciding where to work, and each setting will have different patients, levels of care, and provided treatments. Some specialized workplaces may require additional training or certification. 

Here are some of the most common settings for aesthetic nurses:

• Physician’s offices – More and more physicians offer minor cosmetic procedures such as Botox or dermal fillers. Aesthetic nurses help make these procedures quick and efficient, and nurses may perform some minor procedures themselves.
• Dermatologist’s offices – These specialists treat cosmetic skin issues like scarring or burns, and they need aesthetic nurses to help.
• Medical spas – A more luxurious setting than a doctor’s office, medical spas offer cosmetic laser services, Botox, fillers, and other aesthetic procedures. 
• Laser clinics – From hair and tattoo removal to body contouring, laser clinics offer a wide range of cosmetic procedures that require aesthetic nurses.

Steps to Become an Aesthetic Nurse

Step 1 – Earn Your Nursing Degree (ASN or BSN)

As registered nurses, aesthetic nurses must at least have an associates degree to practice. An accredited institution, like Joyce University, will help you complete this first step. While an associate’s degree is the minimum requirement to become an esthetician nurse, a bachelor’s or master’s degree can lead to more specialized roles, leadership positions, better career options, and higher salaries. An aesthetic nurse’s education will involve nursing, anatomy, biology, and more so that you’re prepared for the challenges of the job. It’s possible to earn a degree in as little as 20 months.

These programs are a solid start for an aesthetic nurse:

• Associate of Science in Nursing – An associate’s degree is all you need to pursue a nursing career. An ASN program through Joyce University can be completed in just 20 months, or 5 semesters.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing – A bachelor’s degree in nursing gives a comprehensive foundation for nursing with thorough coursework and hands-on training. BSN programs generally take around 3-4 years, but you could complete an accelerated program in as little as 20 months.
• Masters of Science in Nursing – A master’s degree opens the doors to better pay, career options and flexibility, and more responsibility. A master’s is required to work as an aesthetic nurse practitioner. MSN programs can be finished in just 1 year.

Step 2 – Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam & Get Licensed

Once you’ve learned the ins and outs of nursing with your degree, you need to prove your expertise by passing the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN. This exam qualifies you to become a registered nurse, so make sure to study and practice.

After passing the NCLEX-RN, you’ll need to get a nursing license from your state. Every state sets their own requirements, but they often include fingerprinting and a background check.

Step 3 – Gain Clinical Experience in Cosmetic

As you prepare to take at step from a student nurse to a registered nurse, look into internships, volunteer opportunities, or shadowing to train to be a cosmetic nurse.

Once you have your degree and pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you are able to work as an aesthetic nurse. Settings like medical spas, clinics, and outpatient surgery centers can help you quickly build experience and strengthen your resume. As you work, keep an eye out for additional certifications that you might qualify for to showcase your experience.

Step 4 – Get Certified in Cosmetic Injection Nursing

Nurse injectors focus on cosmetic treatments that are delivered through needle injections, like Botox, dermal fillers, or fat reduction injections. Cosmetic nurse injectors are always in demand, and they get to work closely with clients to help them see results almost immediately. 

While nurse injectors aren’t legally required to have specific certifications, many employers will prefer training and certification from a qualified organization like the American Academy of Facial Esthetics or the Cosmetic Nurse Injector Group. These courses and certifications provide specialized injection nurse training, showing that you are qualified and ready to perform these procedures.  

How Much Do Aesthetic Nurses Make?

As registered nurses, aesthetic nurses have very healthy earning potential nationwide. The average salary for an aesthetic nurse in 2025 is $80,321. Advanced roles like aesthetic nurse practitioners are earning average salaries of $130,295.

Here are the top 5 paying regions for cosmetic nurses:

• Washington – $90,972
• District of Columbia – $90,765
• New York – $87,874
• Massachusetts – $87,721
• Alaska – $86,502

Career Outlook for Cosmetic Nurses

Job Demand & Growth in 2025

With advances in technology, changing beauty standards, and an aging population, aesthetic nurses are constantly in demand. More and more nurses are leaving nursing roles in traditional healthcare in favor of aesthetic nursing, as aesthetic nursing offers strong career options, work-life balance, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

While there isn’t specific data about the projected growth of aesthetic nursing opportunities, related fields are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses should grow by 6% between 2023 and 2033, while employment of skincare specialists will grow by 10% during that same period. This growing demand for registered nurses and beauty specialists ensures solid career prospects for aesthetic nurses.

Best Specializations & Advanced Roles for Aesthetic Nurses

There are many specialities aesthetic nurses can pursue, from tattoo removal to cosmetic injection to dermatology to body contouring. Each of these specialties will have their own advanced training and certification programs, but here are some widely recognized advanced certifications you should consider during your career as a cosmetic nurse:

• Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist – A CANS certification demonstrates that nurses can perform a wide range of aesthetic procedures, including Botox and fillers, laser treatment, and other non-surgical techniques. This certification can help you secure roles in specialized aesthetic practices like medical spas.  
• Dermatology Nurse Certified – A DNC certification shows your expertise and experience in dermatology, leading to more advanced roles in skincare treatment.

With experience and certifications under your belt, consider becoming an aesthetic nurse practitioner. You’ll need a master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner, and more licensing from your state, but this role offers stronger career options and a much higher salary. Even nurse practitioners can specialize further, like becoming a Dermatology Certified Nurse Practitioner.

Your Path to Becoming an Aesthetic Nurse Starts Today

If you want to help people look and feel their best with a career in cosmetic nursing, it’s time to start. With ASN, BSN, and MSN programs from Joyce University, you could be ready for the NCLEX-RN exam and a nursing career in as little as 20 months. We offer convenient online classes with hands-on labs and clinicals to help you get real experience.