Medical aesthetics is a rapidly growing sector. According research (Globe Newswire, 2019), over the past few decades, the demand for treatments is estimated to have increased threefold. There has been a specific surge in the total number of non-surgical procedures, such as wrinkle-relaxing injections and dermal fillers. This trend is likely to continue due to the advantages of these procedures in the context of an ageing population and cost-effectiveness compared to surgery, such as reduced blood loss, low risk of infection and minimal downtime. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in the past 15 years, the total number of procedures employing soft tissue fillers has increased by approximately 312%. In the same period, the use of wrinkle-relaxing injections increased by a staggering 809% (Globe Newswire, 2019).
Challenges in nursing
Nurses often choose their profession as a career path as they have a desire to make a difference, care for others, use their clinical skills and spend quality time interacting with people. However, for most nurses, it can be challenging to experience job satisfaction and fulfilment due to the complex competing demands of some traditional nursing roles, such as time pressures and financial constraints. The NMC recently asked nurses who left the register in 2018 (over a six-month period) for the reasons that they left. The data showed that, although most leaving were retiring, almost a third (1050 out of 3504 respondents) reported their reason for leaving was due to too much pressure leading to stress and/or poor mental health (NMC, 2019).
Entering the field of medical aesthetics
It can be said that nurses enjoy caring for patients and deliver the best possible care. However, it can be difficult to decide on the best options within a nursing career path. Many nurses consider leaving the profession altogether and overlook the field of aesthetics. Aesthetic medicine presents a unique option to stay within nursing to continue caring for people, while also encouraging the acquisition of new clinical and professional skills. It also allows for flexibility to work part-time around ongoing work commitments for those wishing to continue within their traditional nursing roles.
Continuing professional development in aesthetics
Within this rapidly growing industry, there are endless opportunities to learn, practise and give individualised nursing care to patients. It can be extremely rewarding and satisfying, particularly as it allows for more autonomy managing workload. However, it can be daunting to enter a new field of practice, such as aesthetics, as it can feel like stepping out of a comfort zone and into the unknown. Many nurses fear moving from traditional nursing roles and taking on a new challenge, while others feel more comfortable embracing the change.
Price and Reichert (2017) carried out a thematic analysis of data which revealed that continuing professional development (CPD) is an expressed need and expectation for nurses across the various career stages and held implications for patient care. For nurses in their mid to late career, lifelong learning was important within the context of providing quality patient care, maintaining competency and enhancing future career opportunities. CPD in aesthetics is as important as for any other clinical speciality. It takes a lot of effort, commitment and financial input, and is equally extremely satisfying and crucial for keeping patients safe. Price and Reichert (2017) also reported that training and education are directly linked to nurses' career satisfaction.
Initial steps into aesthetics
Research is essential in this career-changing decision. After thinking about what one personally wants to achieve overall from one's work and life balance, finding out as much information as possible about the field helps. This can include:
It is worthwhile remembering that reputable training companies will always be happy to fully discuss what the course involves and how long it is expected to take so that this can be planned around and time can be invested in achieving goals.
Level 7 (postgraduate certificate) in injectables
When entering the field of aesthetics, selecting a training course is an important decision. It is crucial to ensure that it is a robust, reputable training programme with a recognised qualification. The Level 7 qualification (PG Cert) in injectables in aesthetic medicine has been found to be a good choice. With a strong focus on safety and quality outcomes, it has been recognised by the Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners (Joint Council of Cosmetic Practitioners, 2019). It provides 142 hours of eLearning material and days of practical injectable training with an experienced mentor to cover at least 40 observed and supervised cases, which is then documented into a logbook and signed off by a mentor. The course also includes a final practical examination in the form of an objective structured clinical examination and a portfolio of written assignments answering many detailed questions. These assessments include elements of aesthetic medicine such as, ethics and law in aesthetics, cosmetic psychology, skin science and botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. The assessment includes practical and theoretical questions on the administration, and managing associated possible complications. After such rigorous assessments and practical support, this course certainly sets a solid foundation for entering the field of aesthetics and growing a successful business. The training provided on the course encourages students to not just become a technician carrying out procedures, but a specialist in the field.
CPD after initial training
The NMC's Code states that nurses must: ‘Prioritise people’, ‘Practice effectively’, ‘Preserve safety’ and ‘Promote professionalism and trust’ (NMC, 2019). To enable nurses to maintain their nursing registration, they must evidence that they have met all of the requirements through the revalidation process. Part of the requirements for revalidation are to have completed 450 practice hours within the previous three years and show evidence and reflection of at least 35 hours of CPD activity.
In this fast-evolving industry, there are plenty of further opportunities for CPD in addition to initial formal training. CPD is extremely important to medical professionals, not only for revalidation, but for increasing personal knowledge and staying up-to-date with the best evidence-based practice. As with any clinical speciality, CPD in aesthetics is vitally important for ensuring optimum patient care and education, as well as growing a business and offering new services and treatment options. There is a plethora of CPD opportunities in aesthetics. When selecting CPD opportunities, the following should be considered:
» Staying up-to-date with the most recent evidence-based practice is an essential goal of continuing professional development «
Sources of ongoing CPD
There are various sources of ongoing CPD, including:
There are many advanced courses available once some experience has been gained in the field of aesthetics. For example, there are advanced botulinum toxin courses, advanced dermal filler courses and masterclasses for specific treatment areas (e.g. the lower face, chin and jawline, lips, tear trough and non-surgical rhinoplasty, to name a few). It can be helpful to think about which area one would like to gain confidence in, or practise a new skill in a supported environment, such as bespoke 1:1 training sessions with a clinical mentor.
Attending conferences is a great way to start networking with others in the industry who have varying levels of experience. Spending time speaking to other medical professionals in the industry and asking for recommendations on courses and learning opportunities is time well spent. Not all conferences have a cost attached and they often have a wide range of learning opportunities and sessions with registered CPD points. It is worthwhile to research before attending, for instance, seeing what looks particularly interesting, finding out who will be there and making a plan for the day. There are large aesthetic companies on stands at conferences and often there can be employment opportunities if the plan is to work with a large clinic chain. Be brave—go and have a discussion about what they are looking for and how you may fit into their business.
For independent nurse prescribers, it is also important to attend updates or conferences in prescribing. This includes reading prescribing alerts. Staying up-to-date with the most recent evidence-based practice is an essential goal of CPD. The Aesthetic Complications Expert (ACE) Group guidelines are an extremely important resource to be aware of, particularly in the event of a complication (ACE Group, 2018).
Clinical seminars and business workshops
Skin care is also an integral consideration in aesthetics, and there is a wide range of training available in this area. This includes cosmetic dermatology courses and some specific company training in areas such as, chemical peels, home skin care, microneedling and mesotherapy.
Clinical seminars are always a good opportunity to gain more knowledge. Sometimes this includes observing treatments. There may be discussions about specific areas of the face and the best treatment options. Courses on complication management are also available and help practitioners gain confidence in dealing with an emergency or complications, should it ever arise. Although complications are rare, this is the area that most practitioners fear the most when entering the field of aesthetics.
Often, as nurses, the clinical element of practising in aesthetics is the part that comes more easily due to prior experience with patients and clinical skills. Nurses can often struggle with the business element of aesthetics, so business workshops can be a good way to gain an insight into how to start, manage, run and grow a business. These workshops may be a standalone course or available at some conferences and training companies.
Conclusion
Nursing is a demanding career, but, equally, an extremely fulfilling one. One of the most amazing elements of the profession is that it is extremely broad and there are many specialities to choose from. Aesthetics can be overlooked by nurses seeking alternative options, but it is an exciting field of clinical practice for nurses at all stages in their career, enabling the use of key nursing skills, such as caring for people and using clinical skills.
CPD is important to enable nurses to use the best evidence-based practice and provide safe, effective patient care in any speciality, and is entirely possible within aesthetics. It also forms part of the NMC revalidation and has been demonstrated to improve job satisfaction for nurses with the process of lifelong learning.