Aesthetic nurses, also known as cosmetic or plastic surgical nurses, assist and perform various cosmetic procedures. All aesthetic nurses must be licensed. If you wish to become a specialty nurse, you first must have a general RN license. Nurses aren't necessarily required to seek separate certification to become an aesthetic nurse, but certification is helpful for career advancement. Some of the organizations offering certification include the Center for Nursing Education and Testing (CNET) and the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB).

Medical Aesthetic Training of California, Inc.

The Medical Aesthetic Training of California (camedtraining.com) is located in Newport Beach and offers workshops on cosmetic laser treatments for permanent hair reduction, skin resurfacing, tattoo removal and vascular lesions. Other workshops include development of dermal fillers, dental block techniques, and proper injection techniques for cosmetic procedures.

Cosmetic Nurse Concepts

Cosmetic Nurse Concepts (cosmedical-training.com) provides online continuing education in aesthetics such as microdermabrasion, laser hair removal, chemical peels, botox and dermal fillers It is theory based only, but provides students with the basic foundation of medical aesthetics.

Dallas Center for Advanced Medical Aesthetics

Dallas Center for Advanced Medical Aesthetic (medicalaestheticscertification.com) is designed for nurses and doctors who intend to add medical aesthetics skin care to their practice. The program course covers structure, function of the skin, bacteriology in a salon setting, pigmentation disorders, aging and photo-aging, skin rejuvenation, scar and stretch marks reduction, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, introduction to botox and fillers, lasers, skin nutrition, nutrition and how to set-up a medical aesthetic practice.

Esthetic Skin Institute

The Esthetic Skin Institute (esiw.com) is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It provides students with a resource and education center. The program includes teaching procedures such as botox, dermal fillers (including Restylaneederm, Perlane, Radiesse, Prevelle), sclerotherapy, carboxy therapy, mesotherapy, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, laser, pulsed light and energy based equipment.