I have been thinking about what it means to be a member of the BACN. As a professional organisation we have a diverse membership of nurses whose ultimate goal is working to deliver evidence-based care within medical aesthetics, whatever the modality, in line with the NMC Code (2018) and our BACN Code which was written by board member, Anna Baker.
It doesn't matter if you are new to medical aesthetics or have been practising for years. Our values, ethics and competencies are underpinned by the desire to deliver high quality, patient-centred care, which is fundamental to evidence-based practice. Patient autonomy and holistic care are key to this, which ultimately promotes the rights and needs of the patient. Most of our patients are deemed as healthy. They make the initial contact and it is up to us, during that consultation, to discover what is driving them to seek a particular treatment or intervention. We shouldn't presume that because a patient presents as healthy, there may not be an underlying or undiagnosed issue (Cohen et al, 2023), (Kitson et al, 2013), (Sobanko et al, 2015).
» It doesn't matter if you are new to medical aesthetics or have been practising for years. Our values, ethics and competencies are underpinned by the desire to deliver high quality, patient-centred care, which is fundamental to evidence-based practice «
As nurses working in aesthetics, we are aware that there is a level of risk with any intervention, and mitigating that risk has become more complex due to the increased use of numerous applications of dermal fillers and bio-stimulators, along with the sufficient lack of quality evidence and research. The increased risk of adverse issues from over-filling, dynamic distortion, chronic delayed inflammatory reactions, biofilm infections, filler displacement or migration and vascular occlusion, which can lead to necrosis and disfiguring tissue damage if not diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion. This means that knowledge of wound healing, anti-microbial stewardship and understanding safe use of steroids is crucial. Factor in being able to manage the initial issues, when to seek appropriate advice and know who to refer to when emergency or specialist care is required. As nurses, it is paramount that we help to educate those who seek treatments from us. We are living in an age of social media, where unattainable beauty standards are portrayed to impressionable individuals as lifestyle goals, rather than medical procedures that carry a high level of risk if not performed correctly. They come to us as consumers, but they should always be seen as patients. As nurses, we must act as patient advocates and it is our professional responsibility to ensure patients make safe, informed choices.
BACN Code
Expanding our evidence-based knowledge is a constant journey, and competency never stops evolving. Unexpected complications can happen to even the most experienced nurse, but how that unexpected complication is managed is the what counts.
» I may work in isolation, but I am not alone. I have a village surrounding me «
I am a BACN nurse
I may work in isolation, but I am not alone. I have a village surrounding me. The BACN board, Regional Leaders, peers meeting at the autumn conference or spring symposium, regional meetings, WhatsApp groups or even just meeting for a coffee are all important, supportive aspects of being a member of the BACN.
Our members are innovative. We are business owners, we are self-employed, we are employers and we are employees, but with over 1000 members, we have a voice that garners respect from the other regulated healthcare professionals working in this sector.
I am a BACN nurse who is proud to belong to an organisation that has grown organically into what it is today. Although, I cannot fail to acknowledge the support and hard work that the team at Head Office, led by Gareth Lewis, do to make sure that everything runs efficiently and seamlessly.
