As the UK's largest professional association for nurses working within the speciality of medical aesthetics, the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) bears a huge responsibility to its members and to the specialism as a whole to work to improve patient safety and establish best practice. With over 1000 members, the association represents a varied and interesting group of nurses. Many members work full-time within aesthetics, but a sizeable portion still maintain part-time employment within the NHS. Some 60% of members are prescribers, a much larger percentage when compared to the overall number of nurses who hold the V300 qualification on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register (less than 10%) (NMC, 2021a). In 2020, the NMC signposted the BACN for all registrants managing or working in businesses within the aesthetics and cosmetics industries (NMC, 2021b). This signposting was instrumental in nurses who were newer to aesthetics joining the BACN in the hundreds throughout 2020 and 2021. However, this year, the BACN also achieved its strongest retention rates since its inception, maintaining a core membership of nurses who have over 10 years' experience within the specialism.
Developing the new competency-based framework
Over the past year, the BACN has been working on two major projects. First, we have been the updating of the competency framework for aesthetic nurses. As many members know, the role of an aesthetic nurse requires specialist clinical competencies, a skilful understanding in managing the full patient journey from assessment and diagnosis through to treatment selection and planning, alongside delivery and follow-up. In addition to this, it is necessary to possess the ability to build and maintain a partnership with the patient that is underpinned by mutual respect, considerable trust and, in the best instance, loyalty. It is these attributes that should be considered a critical element of the role of the nurse in medical aesthetics (BACN, 2015). The BACN produced its first competency framework for nurses in non-surgical procedures in 2013, which was updated in 2015. Over the past 6 years, there has been an explosion in demand for non-surgical treatments, and this has been accompanied by an unprecedented number of practitioners entering the market to provide these treatments (both medically and non-medically qualified practitioners).
» It is necessary to possess the ability to build and maintain a partnership with the patient that is underpinned by mutual respect, considerable trust and, in the best instance, loyalty «
The framework is intended to facilitate the enhancement of practitioner knowledge and skills, and, therefore, promote the safety and quality of patient care. The revised competency framework is being prepared by a group of highly experienced specialist nurses, all of whom are members of the BACN. This committee of members met at the end of October 2021 over a working weekend to work on finalising the revised framework. The BACN has been able to draw upon the skills and expertise of some of the leading nurse practitioners in aesthetics within the membership, and it has also sought the advice of specialist educators and experts in the development of competency-based frameworks. The BACN is immensely grateful to all contributors.
As soon as the framework is finalised, all members will receive a copy via email and will be advised to take the time to read and consider. There will also be a dedicated webinar that will run through some of the changes to the framework and outline important aspects for members to take note of.
Code of conduct
While the work on the competency framework is still ongoing, the rewriting of the BACN code of conduct has been successfully completed.
The BACN code of professional conduct is designed to be read and applied to clinical practice in conjunction with the BACN competences and is in addition to relevant statutory NMC guidance (the Code). The BACN has produced an extensive update to its Code to reflect the unique and specialist nature of medical aesthetic practice, as a holistic pathway and process beyond the procedure itself.
The Code covers all aspects of the following:
- Professional responsibility
- Competence
- Patient confidentiality
- Membership confidentiality and behaviour
- Informed consent
- Adverse events
- Overarching principles
- Responsible and ethical advertising and promotion
- Responsible and safe prescribing.
The British Association of Cosmetic Nurses' team at Clinical Cosmetic and Reconstructive Expo in October
All BACN members must sign up to the Code and are held to account against its provisions. The new Code can be found on the BACN website in a downloadable version and plain text.
Regional meetings
Aside from the aforementioned projects, there has been movement to kickstart the BACN regional meetings and offer support and networking after a year of digital events. Traditionally, these regional meetings were held nationwide, and often featured talks and demonstrations from strategic partners working directly with the BACN, which can range from injectables and skincare to business support and insurance concerns. These meetings provided a direct opportunity for businesses to interact with aesthetic nurses and showcase new and innovative products, while BACN members learned about the latest developments happening in aesthetics today. All demonstrations and presentations also came with continuing professional development (CPD) points that members could access via their online member's area and complete reflective learning statements. These events are so important, as nurses can engage with their peers and hear from other members about issues they may be facing, as well as with participating in group discussions and conversations. Now, more than ever, there is a realisation of how important these face-to-face meetings are and how they cannot be neglected.
In the first quarter of 2022, there will be opportunities for all members to attend these meetings in their area and interact with their regional leaders, who are representatives of the BACN in their regions, along with being a BACN ambassador. There have been a number of changes to the regional leader structure, and a whole host of new faces have risen in ranks to dedicate their time and energy to ensuring members feel supported on a local level. These new leaders were provided with a formal induction and welcome from the BACN management committee, along with the BACN HQ team, and plans are now underway to fill agendas and book locations for next year.
Moving forward
In addition to these internal projects, Sharon Bennett, BACN chair, alongside Paul Burgess, BACN chief executive officer, met with Andrea Sutcliffe, chief executive people and organisational effectiveness directorate for the NMC in late October to discuss aesthetic nursing prescribing practice, standards and codes of practice within the specialism of medical aesthetics.
So, as always, there is lots of work underway within the association, along with some exciting prospects for the future. I joined the BACN in October 2016, and the changes that I have seen in 5 years have been extraordinary. This not only includes the growth in membership, but also the wider recognition within the specialism about the importance for a professional association that is dedicated to uplifting the voices of aesthetic nurses. While the past 18 months have been difficult in many ways, this time has also allowed the BACN to take a reset and step back to consider how the association moves forward in 2022 and beyond, driving to establish change that is sorely overdue.