Dermatology nurse

I,m a 42 years old cosmetologist been in this field for 20 years and decided to fulfull my dream of becoming a nurse. I will be finishing my prerequisite starting this fall and will be applying for the nursing program next fall, since being familar with skin, hair and nails I through about dermatology nursing. Nursing has so many avenues that you can go into is anyone familar with this area of nursing.

I was in a similar situation, as nursing being a second career. I found allnurses.com to be a wonderful resource of support and information for me. Their Nursing Student section is amazing: allnurses.com/forums/f196/

Hope that helps

I've worked in healthcare for around 17 years and have neve heard of a "dermatology nurse".

I have been a BSN, RN for 6 years. I have wanted to
work in a dermatologist office for a long time. I have
been unable to find a job. Doctor's offices hire either
MA or LPN's. If this is what you want to do. Just become a
MA or LPN. If they do hire a BSN RN it is to be the office
manager. I went in to nursing to be a nurse not run an office.

does anyone know what nursing program would except random people in the bay area, california. It's so hard getting accepted to one, it's ridiculous, you'd think I was trying to be a doctor with all the white hair growing on my head and i'm only 20.

thank you.

jane smith in Grand Rapids, Michigan said: I have been a BSN, RN for 6 years. I have wanted to
work in a dermatologist office for a long time. I have
been unable to find a job. Doctor's offices hire either
MA or LPN's. If this is what you want to do. Just become a
MA or LPN. If they do hire a BSN RN it is to be the office
manager. I went in to nursing to be a nurse not run an office.

Jane, why don't you try a wound care center or a burn unit both are vital to dermatological practice and then you could meet some dermatologist and specialize...Cindy

First of all....Are you sure you want to be a nurse? It is truly a horrible profession. I hate it!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT if you are convinced you want to be a nurse, the try Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa. They have a great program and it is not very difficult to get in. Good luck to you!

JoIn Rockford..OMG...Why ..OH Why..are you still.. a nurse..if you hate what your do and the importance behind it >? Why do you hate it so..much? I also was wondering since I just recieved my CNA and did exceptionally well and would like to work only in a docotors office, would it be wise to now..after CNA to go and get a CMA and then LPN or.. to go for LPN and forget CMA. Nowadays it seems the more on your resume the better. I live in WI and some clinical director posted a blog that said in WI.LPNS, CNAs and CMAs get hired most and first to cut cost of hiring a RN.Please help me out here. I need to pay my way and support myself and I dont think CNA will do it through RN school. Quite a few LPNS said they are making 20.00 and hour and more. I also.. doubt a CNA will be hirable in a doctors office.

Etta in Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee said: I,m a 42 years old cosmetologist been in this field for 20 years and decided to fulfull my dream of becoming a nurse. I will be finishing my prerequisite starting this fall and will be applying for the nursing program next fall, since being familar with skin, hair and nails I through about dermatology nursing. Nursing has so many avenues that you can go into is anyone familar with this area of nursing.

I have been working in a dermatology office for the past year and I love it. It is a great area to work as a nurse and your right. Once you are a nurse you can go down many different avenues. Good luck in school.

Gee, Don't get upset folks! I have been in nursing 25years and there are days (a few lately) where I hate it too. I became a nurse to help, not pass meds 24/7 or fill in tons of paperwork/computer work..I have done almost everything in nursing, and went back to school to be an esthetician to break into Dermatology, and again your right, Doctors dont want to pay for an RN...and I dont want to be and office manager either...Medispas are just as hard to break into...But like everything, you'll catch a break, or that one patient will light up your day...People IT IS A JOB! Not a glorified "Angel of Mercy" like in your dreams..In todays economy where else can you go to a JOB and get decent pay and every once in a while touch someone's soul/heart? It still makes it worth all those bad days..Good luck to you!

YES I HEAR AND READ ALL OF YOUR POSTS UP HERE AND NOW A DAYS THE ONLY THING THAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A LIVING IS TO BECOME A WORKER IN THE MEDICAL FIELD!!!

I LIVE IN ATLANTA,GA..DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT SCHOOL I SHOULD ATTEND TO BECOME A DERMATOLOGY NURSE OR WHAT I SHOULD FOCUS ON TO BE IN THAT FIELD..IM 28YRS OLD

jane smith in Grand Rapids, Michigan said: I have been a BSN, RN for 6 years. I have wanted to
work in a dermatologist office for a long time. I have
been unable to find a job. Doctor's offices hire either
MA or LPN's. If this is what you want to do. Just become a
MA or LPN. If they do hire a BSN RN it is to be the office
manager. I went in to nursing to be a nurse not run an office.

I thought ur post was helpful. I was considering the same. I wanted to work for a DERM, but I don't want to be an LPN or MA you know. I want to be an RN and then continue on. I am currently taking Dental Hygiene. I hope to continue on to be a PA. Do DERM's hire PA's or even NP for that matter? I want to go in the right direction. Should I stay a DH and go on to PA or switch to Nursing and go on to NP. Also, I do have my CNA lic. do they hire them for anything at all? Thanks, Liz

Liz in Fort Wayne, Indiana said: I thought ur post was helpful. I was considering the same. I wanted to work for a DERM, but I don't want to be an LPN or MA you know. I want to be an RN and then continue on. I am currently taking Dental Hygiene. I hope to continue on to be a PA. Do DERM's hire PA's or even NP for that matter? I want to go in the right direction. Should I stay a DH and go on to PA or switch to Nursing and go on to NP. Also, I do have my CNA lic. do they hire them for anything at all? Thanks, Liz

Hi - am an RN for 17 years and want to break into dermatology field, but am finding also that offices of derm's and plastics only hire PA's, medical techs or maybe LPN. It's truly discouraging. Any tips out there? I really don't want to work in a burn unit but I understand the wound-care route.
HELP!!!! Thanks, M

One reason for all those jobs in the health care field (especially in certain regions), is that few people want to do them for very long. Hence, lots of openings. I was fooled by the lure of job security by seeing all those Nursing jobs out there. Tough, tough job - in many ways pretty horrible.

jane smith in Grand Rapids, Michigan said: I have been a BSN, RN for 6 years. I have wanted to
work in a dermatologist office for a long time. I have
been unable to find a job. Doctor's offices hire either
MA or LPN's. If this is what you want to do. Just become a
MA or LPN. If they do hire a BSN RN it is to be the office
manager. I went in to nursing to be a nurse not run an office.

Yes you are correct, I worked as a derm nurse (LPN) for many years. I was told they could only keep LPNs and MA , they cannot afford to hire RN as derm nurses.

I think the truth is the derm MD's don't want to pay for an RN, even though they can certainly afford to pay for one. One Botox injection can cost $500, out of pocket - no insurance involved. And think about how many they do in a week....They can't pay an office RN $ 30 an hour? Give me a break.
If they were really savvy, they would train the RN's to do more injectables and peels, therefore making them more money as they did other visits. An RN - a good RN - has assessment skills others don't possess. Too bad the MD's are essentially just greedy.

i want to be a nurse, but im so lost.

Hello, I am an RN but I have not worked in the nursing field for several years. After graduating from high school I earned a technical degree in OR and worked in surgery for several while completing my RN degree. After starting family I worked in community mental health for 10 years. In early 90's government implemented DRG's and the facility I worked for closed inpatient unit. Since then I have started a business but want to get back into nursing. Recently I completed an RN Refresher course but am having difficulty finding a job. Seems all want recent experience. Any suggestions?

I just graduated with my nursing degree in December 08. Took the boards and passed but have been looking for my first job for two months. You hear all the time about the nursing shortage but all employers want in these bad economic times are experienced nurses. I am soooo frustrated with job hunting. I thought nursing school was bad and studying for the boards but I never thought finding a job would be this difficult. Any suggestions??

Keep trying and widen your search.

i am an aesthetician currently working at a day spa. i have always wanted to work in a derm office practicing deeper peels,laser,injections etc... i feel like i am about to reach my maximum potential and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as of what to do or what to persue

Milda in Brooklyn, New York said: I have been working in a dermatology office for the past year and I love it. It is a great area to work as a nurse and your right. Once you are a nurse you can go down many different avenues. Good luck in school.

what do i have to do in college to become a dermatology nurse? i just graduated highschool and i want to do what you are doing, work in Brooklyn :) I am so confused on what i should be doing right now, please help me! Are you a nurse aswell?

I am an RN and have been working in a derm office for 3 years. Derms in many states utilize CMA's and LPN's because it is more affordable than hiring an RN. I work in California where you have to be at least an RN to run lasers. RN's are also licensed here to do injectables and Botox. The office that I work in is both medical and cosmetic so I get to enjoy the hands on, slightly more traditional nursing of the medical side but I am profitable for the cosmetic side because I'm licensed to do things that an medical assistant can't. To all of you who are frustrated with lack of RN positions in derm offices, are you willing to relocate to an area that requires RNs to do certain procedures? Another route to go would be to get an NP and then specialize in derm. There is a new Dermatology Nurse Practicioner certification that is out for people who've already earned their NP. I recently because Dermatology Nurse Certified - I'm an RN, not NP. I recomend checking out the dermatology nurse association website- www.dnanurse.org

Etta in Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee said: I,m a 42 years old cosmetologist been in this field for 20 years and decided to fulfull my dream of becoming a nurse. I will be finishing my prerequisite starting this fall and will be applying for the nursing program next fall, since being familar with skin, hair and nails I through about dermatology nursing. Nursing has so many avenues that you can go into is anyone familar with this area of nursing.

My name is Farha Khan .I represent Placement Pundits, an international recruitment firm headquartered in India. We have an exclusive contract to send nurses to Italy. We have a tie-up with a big staffing firm in Italy and we are authorised to send nurses to Italy on work visa. If you are interested in our program or any of your colleague is interested then for more details please contact me at farha@placementpundits.com

The Dermatology Nursing Institute (DNI), the Program Planning Committee, and Dermatology Nursing are excited to invite you to the Dermatology Nursing Institute Annual Congress. Join us in our nation’s capital – Washington, DC, from September 25-27, 2009 – and add to your nursing knowledge. Dynamic and diverse topics were selected for this Congress! Whether you are a novice, expert, or somewhere in between, there is something for you.

www.dermatologynursing.net

I'm a 25 yr. old esthetician working in a day spa who just started an RN program but all I keep hearing is that nursing careers are few and far between these days and I worry I will finish school and I will not be able to find a job. Also my dream would be to work in a derms office but that dosen't seem like much of a possibility either. Should I risk all this time, and lets face it, tons of money to not get the job I truely desire?

SRiker in Taunton, Massachusetts said: I'm a 25 yr. old esthetician working in a day spa who just started an RN program but all I keep hearing is that nursing careers are few and far between these days and I worry I will finish school and I will not be able to find a job. Also my dream would be to work in a derms office but that dosen't seem like much of a possibility either. Should I risk all this time, and lets face it, tons of money to not get the job I truely desire?

Why don't you do a little research. Try calling the Dermatologists in your area and ask if they have any RN's working in their office. It might help you make an informed decision.

mike said: does anyone know what nursing program would except random people in the bay area, california. It's so hard getting accepted to one, it's ridiculous, you'd think I was trying to be a doctor with all the white hair growing on my head and i'm only 20.

thank you.

I totally agree with you..your post was written 23mths ago...what has go on in between. You get into nursing school?

Pam in San Rafael, California said: I am an RN and have been working in a derm office for 3 years. Derms in many states utilize CMA's and LPN's because it is more affordable than hiring an RN. I work in California where you have to be at least an RN to run lasers. RN's are also licensed here to do injectables and Botox. The office that I work in is both medical and cosmetic so I get to enjoy the hands on, slightly more traditional nursing of the medical side but I am profitable for the cosmetic side because I'm licensed to do things that an medical assistant can't. To all of you who are frustrated with lack of RN positions in derm offices, are you willing to relocate to an area that requires RNs to do certain procedures? Another route to go would be to get an NP and then specialize in derm. There is a new Dermatology Nurse Practicioner certification that is out for people who've already earned their NP. I recently because Dermatology Nurse Certified - I'm an RN, not NP. I recomend checking out the dermatology nurse association website- www.dnanurse.org

Hi Pam, thank you for the information. I found it really useful and encourage. I will be a nurse student in January 2010, and I am interested in working in a derm office. After reading many negative views about how hard it is to get a nurse job in a derm offices, does make me worried a bit. But your input gives me a light. I am living in MA now. When I finish my school 2 years later, I might move to CA. Can you give me a suggestion where to get a laser or Botox license? Thanks a lot!!!

At least in California, there is no special license to do lasers or Botox above and beyond your RN license.

meredith in Collierville, Tennessee said: i am an aesthetician currently working at a day spa. i have always wanted to work in a derm office practicing deeper peels,laser,injections etc... i feel like i am about to reach my maximum potential and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as of what to do or what to persue

I too am an esthetician wanting to break into a derm office. From what I have seen it seems like they hire mostly nurses or medical estheticians.

Hi I am an RN who loves skin care. As you all know Skin Is Your Largest Organ.
You must take care of it From the inside out. I have just joined a company whose skin care products are from Paris and made from the finest botanicals in Europe. The Company just launched in the States in January. I am making more than I do as a Nurse..I am working Smarter and Not Harder now. I know why estheticians want to be RN's and Why RN's want to be estheticians!! Estheticians want the money and RN's want a life!
check out www.votrevu.com/michellegallien

meredith in Collierville, Tennessee said: i am an aesthetician currently working at a day spa. i have always wanted to work in a derm office practicing deeper peels,laser,injections etc... i feel like i am about to reach my maximum potential and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as of what to do or what to persue

I too am an esthetician wanting to break into a derm office. From what I have seen it seems like they hire mostly nurses or medical estheticians.

are you implying that as an esthetician you have the abiltiy to make more money selling your new line of skincare, than working for a dermatologist?

RNKM in Woburn, Massachusetts said: I think the truth is the derm MD's don't want to pay for an RN, even though they can certainly afford to pay for one. One Botox injection can cost $500, out of pocket - no insurance involved. And think about how many they do in a week....They can't pay an office RN $ 30 an hour? Give me a break.
If they were really savvy, they would train the RN's to do more injectables and peels, therefore making them more money as they did other visits. An RN - a good RN - has assessment skills others don't possess. Too bad the MD's are essentially just greedy.

i AGREE AND I AM A NP WITH SP0ECIAL CERTIFICATION IN BOTOX AND DERMAL FILLER CERTIFICATION AND STILL CANNOT DO THE PROCEDURE UNLESS I HAVE A MD TO SIGN A LETTER SAYING IT OK EVENTHOUGH MY BON OF NURSING HAS APPROVED THE PROCEDURES. AND I CARRY MY OWN MALPRACTICE INSURANCE!!!!