How did your nursing journey begin?
My first Bachelors was actually in Journalism-Advertising at Mizzou. After working at an awesome local ad agency for 2.5 years, I realized as much as I loved my boss and coworkers, it wasn’t making me happy. My sister suggested I pursue nursing, more specifically to become a CRNA. I got into the Accelerated BSN Option at Rockhurst and graduated a year later. I worked on the Tele Unit at OPR for 6 months and then left to work in the OR at KU Med. After working there for a few years, I kind of fell into a job as the Primary Nurse for a plastic surgeon’s clinic. Almost 4 years later, I needed more variety, and decided to work for a Corporate company that focused on Laser Hair Removal. As I was there, the company brought on a few aesthetic treatments, including BBL, Ultherapy, CoolSculpting as well as cosmetic injections. That’s how I was trained, though a thorough internal training course on things like Botox and fillers in 2015. After realizing that injections were what I wanted to full time, I was lucky enough to be hired on as a Nurse Injector at Monarch Plastic Surgery!
Can you tell us more about the training?
My story is a bit different from most injectors as I didn’t have to seek out outside resources for training. My position at the time trained me in a 3 day course. Day 1 was only on label neuromodulators, day 2 was only on label fillers and day 3 was treating patients with both neuromodulators and filler. I didn’t have to pay for my training, but official injector trainings usually costs thousands. There is a local company called Mint Aesthetics as well as a few reputable trainings that you might have to travel for- Aesthetic Immersion, Aesthetic Mentor in Chicago and Palette Resources.
What do you like most about being a nurse?
I love how many different types of options nurses have. And, in my current position, I love the artistry and the relationships I have built with my patients.
What is your typical day like as an aesthetics nurse?
I typically work from 8:30-5 M-F, seeing between 12-18 patients a day. I only do treatments that involve injecting, like Botox/Dysport, fillers, Sculptra (a collagen stimulator), Kybella (a fat reducer) and PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin). I spend a lot of time educating patients on how things work, why I’m recommending them and reasonable expectations.
How do you feel your work/life balance is with this position?
Overall, it’s good! I’m pretty motivated to stay busy, because it makes the day go faster. I make myself available to patients after hours for questions or concerns. I also like to create content for social media to engage my patients and find new ones. Both of these can be time-consuming at times. I’m lucky that I work at a medical practice instead of a med spa, because we aren’t open on weekends.
