HOW I BECAME CERTIFIED

I get asked all the time how I became a certified Aesthetic Injector. If you are curious what lead me to Aesthetics, you can read my story above, “Why Aesthetics?" If you are curious HOW to become certified, and bridge the gap between want and reality, then keep reading, my love.

After I finished nursing school I knew all I wanted to do was Aesthetics. That was a sure thing at this point. The hard part was figuring out HOW to get started in this industry. So, I started at the basics and took my resume around town. I was lucky enough to get an interview with a Medical Group that was one of the largest aesthetic providers in the area. However, prior to being hired, it was required of me to attend the National Laser Institute and become certified in laser technology and injectables. Because I was dedicated, I was willing to go down to Scottsdale, Arizona and attend the 2 week course offered to medical providers wishing to become certified in Aesthetics.

Some medical providers will hire you and do training on site with you. If you have the chance to study under a Plastic Surgeon, seize that opportunity because they can teach you things that you will carry with you for the rest of your career. Some providers may want you to seek training outside of their practice, much like what I did at NLI. Each place will be different, so I always recommend getting the job first! Then find out what training they want you to acquire. It’s expensive, and you don’t want to be wasting your precious money and time with paying for training if you may not need too. However, if you are needing to find a Medical Aesthetic training program, or just brush up on your skills, then continue reading to learn about my journey with NLI and why I recommend attending this premier school.

NATIONAL LASER INSTITUTE

The National Laser Institute is the premier school to attend if you are looking for Medical Aesthetic training. They combine classroom instruction with one-on-one hands on training. I attended the 14 day accredited course for medical professionals (nurses, doctors) in Scottsdale Arizona. By the end of the two weeks, I had so much knowledge poured into my brain, I knew I had been set up for success. 

During those two weeks I became certified in:

• Injectables (Botox, Dysport, Dermal Fillers)

• Advanced Injectables with intensive, hands on training

• Didactic classroom work and intensive training in Clinical Laser, Laser Medical Aesthetics Essentials and Hair Removal

• Absorbable PDO Threads 

• Platelet Rich Plasma in Conjunction with Microneedling

• Sclerotherapy

• Kybella

• HCG Weight Loss

• Non-Surgical body Contouring

 WOULD I RECOMMEND IT?

Needles down I would recommend attending NLI to any nurse just starting her/his career in aesthetics, or to any current injector wanting to expand their knowledge. Even if you already have a baseline knowledge, you will still learn something. I was taught so many innovative aesthetic techniques, and the Doctors and Nurse Practitioners that I trained under are phenomenal. They made learning fun, quick and painless. I am thankful every day for the training I received, the teachers I learned from, and the people I met. I can’t wait to go back! 

ARE YOU EVER REALLY READY?

Another popular question I get asked frequently is if I felt ready to inject on my own after graduating from NLI. My response is always “Are you ever really ready?” 

In all honesty, it’s scary the first time you walk up to a patient, needle in hand and get ready to inject filler on your own. I doubted my abilities, wondering if I had the “artistic talent” everyone said you needed to be an injector. But I feel like these are normal emotions for anyone starting something new. My advice is to be self-aware, identify the perimeter of your comfort bubble, then take a big breath and step out of it! You don’t grow while you are staying in your comfort zone. It limits you. If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough. 

Because NLI offers hands on clinical training with patients booked back to back for 8 hours, I feel that I received a significant amount of experience injecting. I may not have felt ready, but I knew deep down that I had the best training and learned skills to perfect the tissue on the other end of my needle. And by stepping out of my comfort zone, I injected a co-worker’s lips, and they turned out beautiful. I realized I possessed the talent needed to be successful in this beautiful world of aesthetics. 

QUESTIONS?

It can be overwhelming when trying to figure out where you belong in the world of nursing. Trust me, I myself have felt very lost because there are so many options and so many opportunities!

Please reach out to me if you have any questions about my journey towards becoming an Aesthetic Nurse. I would love to help you figure out if this would be the right career option for you, help guide you, or even just offer some encouragement. If you haven’t already, check out my blogpost on my Nursing School Journey and learn how I found myself in the world of Aesthetics.