What is a Plastic Surgery Nurse Practitioner? (Duties, Steps to Become, & Salary)
Written By:
Pattie Trumble
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. Read Full Bio »» , MPP, MPH
Want an APRN specialty that pays well, rarely involves working weekends or overtime, and for which demand is expected to jump by nearly 50 percent in the coming decade? Explore a career as a plastic surgery nurse practitioner! What is a plastic surgery nurse practitioner? A plastic surgery NP is an advanced practice RN specializing in procedures designed to normalize or enhance clients’ physical appearances. Since many of these procedures are elective, plastic surgery nurse practitioners typically have a very different relationship with their patients than NPs who deal with illnesses and injuries. Hence, their work is far less stressful. This article offers you an inside look at the plastic surgery nurse practitioner career – what do they do, steps-to-become, and salary.
What Does a Plastic Surgery Nurse Practitioner Do? – 6 Main Duties and Responsibilities
Whether it’s the rise of selfie culture or the consequences of the Silver Tsunami, people these days are much more concerned with their appearances than people were 20 years ago. There’s a difference between plastic and cosmetic surgery: The former includes reconstructive procedures, while the latter focuses on the purely aesthetic. Since 1997, the number of cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S. has jumped nearly 450 percent, and the majority of those procedures are the types of noninvasive procedures PSNPs specialize in. Plastic surgeon nurse practitioners are busy! Here’s some of what they do:
1. Consultations
Plastic surgery NPs are frequently a practice’s first point of contact with prospective clients. Plastic surgery consultations include traditional procedures such as a physical exam, a review of medical history, and relevant tests, but they also include less familiar things such as digital imaging that’s designed to show clients what they will look like after a procedure. PSNPs must be informed about their field, particularly the latest trends since they must be able to answer clients’ questions.
2. Non-invasive cosmetic procedures
Plastic surgery NPs generally perform most of the noninvasive procedures that plastic surgery practices are charged with doing. These include the injection of Botox and dermal fillers, as well as laser skin treatments such as microdermabrasion, photofacials, and tattoo removals.
3. Assistance with invasive procedures
PSNPs will frequently assist plastic surgeons with invasive procedures that involve breaking the skin, such as liposuction, body contouring, breast lifts, eye lifts, and rhinoplasty.
4. Post-operative care
Invasive procedures often involve administering general anesthesia. Plastic surgery nurse practitioners typically care for patients as they recover from anesthesia, managing airways, checking vital signs, treating pain and nausea, and identifying—and treating—complications.
5. Follow-up care
Plastic surgery nurse practitioners are usually responsible for giving clients discharge instructions and for following up with clients at regular intervals after a procedure to see how healing is progressing.
6. Operate own practice
Many PSNPs operate their own cosmetic practices or medical spas. Plastic surgery nurse practitioners prescribe treatments in states that allow nurse practitioners to practice autonomously; in states where nurse practitioners have a more limited scope of practice, they perform procedures under a consulting physician’s supervision.
Where Do Plastic Surgery Nurse Practitioners Mostly Work? – Top 3 Work Settings
These days, the majority of plastic surgery is cosmetic surgery. Since cosmetic procedures are elective, most plastic surgery nurse practitioners work in outpatient settings, such as:
1. Ambulatory care clinics
Cosmetic surgery clinics employ PSNPs to assist surgeons and other physicians and to perform noninvasive procedures.
2. Dermatology practices
PSNPs’ in-depth knowledge of cosmetic procedures makes them valuable assets when they work with physicians specializing in treating the skin, hair, and nails.
3. Medical spas
Many plastic surgery NPs open their own medical spas, facilities that offer pampering, relaxation and beauty treatments such as massages and facials, as well as medical treatments such as BOTOX and dermal fillers specifically designed to enhance and rejuvenate.
What is the Typical Work Schedule and Work Hours of a Plastic Surgery NP?
Since most plastic surgery nurse practitioners work in outpatient settings, they typically work traditional 9-to-5 business hours. They may work Saturdays if the clinic or med spa they’re affiliated with is open on Saturdays, but they won’t be required to work Sundays or holidays, and they’re never on call. Their patient visits are scheduled beforehand, so they’re rarely, if ever, hit with surprises.
What Education is Required to Become a Plastic Surgery Nurse Practitioner After High School?
It will take you between six and 10 years to become a plastic surgery nurse practitioner. This includes the time it will take you to attain your RN license and APRN certification, as well as the one to two years of practical on-the-job experience you’ll need before you become truly proficient in this specialty.
Attaining an RN license is a prerequisite for becoming a nurse practitioner in any specialty, so you’ll have to enroll in an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program before you can become a plastic surgery NP. Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Science degree programs both offer nurse practitioner specializations.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Plastic Surgery NP After High School?
Program Type | Program Length |
BSN | 36 to 48 Months |
BSN-to-MSN (NP) | 12 to 24 Months |
BSN-to-DNP (NP) | 36 to 48 Months |
How Much Does it Cost to Become a Plastic Surgery NP After High School?
Program Type | Program Cost |
BSN | $8,730 - $219,450 |
BSN-to-MSN (NP) | $20,740 - $201,980 |
BSN-to-DNP (NP) | $28,390 - $277,320 |
What is the Step-By-Step Process of Becoming a Plastic Surgery Nurse Practitioner After High School?
(The following is a step-by-step process to become a Plastic Surgery NP after high school.)
STEP #1: Graduate from an RN program
All nurse practitioners must have a valid registered nursing license from the state where they practice. Attaining RN licensure requires graduating from either an associate nursing degree program or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Most graduate nursing programs require students to possess a bachelor’s degree in nursing, so if you go the associate degree route, you’ll probably have to enroll in an RN-to-BSN bridge program at some point.
STEP #2: Pass the NCLEX-RN exam
All states require prospective registered nurses to pass the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s NCLEX-RN exam before they can be issued a license.
STEP #3: Complete courses
Though plastic surgery nurse practice and aesthetic nurse practice are separate disciplines, plastic surgery NPs perform aesthetic procedures, so completing coursework in BOTOX or dermal filler injections is useful if you want to become a plastic surgery NP. Many providers, including Aesthetic Medical Educators Training and the Esthetic Skin Institute, offer medical and nursing professionals the opportunity to learn aesthetic procedures.
STEP #4: Work as an RN for a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon
Securing employment in a dermatology or plastic surgery practice can be challenging for an RN who is fresh out of school, but taking classes in aesthetics will improve your competitiveness.
STEP #5: Become a nurse practitioner
To become a plastic surgery nurse practitioner, you must possess either an MSN or a DNP. No graduate nursing program offers a “plastic surgery nurse practitioner” specialization as such, so most plastic surgery NPs begin their careers either as family nurse practitioners or adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners.
STEP #6: Pursue certification
See below.
STEP #7: Do a fellowship
See below.
STEP #8: Join a plastic surgery practice
While many plastic surgery nurse practitioners join existing plastic surgery practices, many opt to become solo practitioners and open their own medical spas in states where NPs can practice autonomously.
STEP #9: Join professional plastic surgery nurse practitioner organizations
Joining professional organizations will open up career opportunities, broaden your industry connections, offer you dynamic continuing education courses, and allow you to attend conferences that will expand your knowledge of your chosen field.
What are the Required or Recommended Certifications for Plastic Surgery Nurse Practitioners?
The Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board offers the Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS) credential (which, despite its name, is popular with nurse practitioners), while the International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses offers the Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse (CPSN) credential. You must have a minimum of two years of experience and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience working in a pertinent clinical field to qualify to take the former exam and two years of experience in plastic surgery nursing as an RN to qualify to take the latter.
Are There any Fellowship or Residency Programs Available for Plastic Surgery Nurse Practitioners?
The American Foundation for Aesthetic Medicine offers a six-month, 20-hour-a-week fellowship focusing on cosmetic procedures.
What is the Starting Salary of a New Grad Plastic Surgery Nurse Practitioner?
Entry-level plastic surgery nurse practitioners earn an average of $102,710 a year, which is $49.38 an hour, $1,975 a week, or $8,560 a month.
Hourly | $49.38 |
Weekly | $1,975 |
Monthly | $8,560 |
Annual | $102,710 |
What is the Average Salary of a Plastic Surgery Nurse Practitioner?
The average plastic surgery nurse practitioner salary is $146,620 annually, which amounts to $70.49 hourly, $2,820 weekly, or $12,220 monthly. PSNPs typically reach this threshold in their 10th year of practice.
Hourly | $70.49 |
Weekly | $2,820 |
Monthly | $12,220 |
Annual | $146,620 |
(Source: Nursingprocess.org) |
What is the Salary by Level of Experience of a Plastic Surgery NP?
Why do experienced plastic surgery nurse practitioners make higher salaries than their entry-level counterparts? Because they have better critical thinking skills and more developed hands-on competencies.
A PSNP with one to four years of experience earns $121,420 annually—18 percent more than a PSNP freshly out of a graduate nursing program ($102,710.) Plastic surgery NPs with five to nine years of experience make 39 percent more ($143,010), while plastic surgery NPs with 10 to 19 years of experience make 55 percent more ($159,310.) With two or more decades of experience, plastic surgery nurse practitioners make $194,320 a year—89 percent more than their colleagues who are just starting careers.
Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
Entry-Level | $49.38 | $1,975 | $8,560 | $102,710 |
1-4 Years of Experience | $58.38 | $2,335 | $10,120 | $121,420 |
5-9 Years of Experience | $68.75 | $2,750 | $11,920 | $143,010 |
10-19 Years of Experience | $76.59 | $3,064 | $13,280 | $159,310 |
20 Years or More Experience | $93.42 | $3,737 | $16,190 | $194,320 |
What is the Average Salary of a Plastic Surgery NP by State?
State | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
Alabama | $60.27 | $2,411 | $10,450 | $125,370 |
Alaska | $65.80 | $2,632 | $11,410 | $136,870 |
Arizona | $68.64 | $2,746 | $11,900 | $142,770 |
Arkansas | $60.56 | $2,422 | $10,500 | $125,960 |
California | $89.40 | $3,576 | $15,500 | $185,960 |
Colorado | $65.83 | $2,633 | $11,410 | $136,930 |
Connecticut | $74.34 | $2,974 | $12,890 | $154,630 |
Delaware | $68.17 | $2,727 | $11,820 | $141,790 |
Florida | $62.37 | $2,495 | $10,810 | $129,720 |
Georgia | $65.26 | $2,611 | $11,310 | $135,750 |
Hawaii | $72.54 | $2,902 | $12,570 | $150,890 |
Idaho | $66.56 | $2,662 | $11,540 | $138,440 |
Illinois | $69.15 | $2,766 | $11,990 | $143,830 |
Indiana | $68.82 | $2,753 | $11,930 | $143,150 |
Iowa | $72.47 | $2,899 | $12,560 | $150,740 |
Kansas | $63.13 | $2,525 | $10,940 | $131,320 |
Kentucky | $61.79 | $2,472 | $10,710 | $128,520 |
Louisiana | $66.83 | $2,673 | $11,580 | $139,010 |
Maine | $66.88 | $2,675 | $11,590 | $139,120 |
Maryland | $67.64 | $2,706 | $11,730 | $140,700 |
Massachusetts | $78.42 | $3,137 | $13,590 | $163,110 |
Michigan | $64.33 | $2,573 | $11,150 | $133,800 |
Minnesota | $72.46 | $2,898 | $12,560 | $150,710 |
Mississippi | $66.29 | $2,652 | $11,490 | $137,890 |
Missouri | $63.99 | $2,560 | $11,090 | $133,100 |
Montana | $67.82 | $2,713 | $11,760 | $141,070 |
Nebraska | $67.26 | $2,691 | $11,660 | $139,910 |
Nevada | $77.02 | $3,081 | $13,350 | $160,200 |
New Hampshire | $71.11 | $2,844 | $12,330 | $147,910 |
New Jersey | $80.99 | $3,240 | $14,040 | $168,460 |
New Mexico | $73.25 | $2,930 | $12,700 | $152,360 |
New York | $79.98 | $3,199 | $13,860 | $166,360 |
North Carolina | $64.71 | $2,588 | $11,220 | $134,590 |
North Dakota | $64.42 | $2,577 | $11,170 | $133,990 |
Ohio | $66.40 | $2,656 | $11,510 | $138,110 |
Oklahoma | $68.83 | $2,753 | $11,930 | $143,160 |
Oregon | $77.03 | $3,081 | $13,350 | $160,230 |
Pennsylvania | $68.15 | $2,726 | $11,810 | $141,760 |
Rhode Island | $70.81 | $2,833 | $12,270 | $147,290 |
South Carolina | $61.70 | $2,468 | $10,690 | $128,330 |
South Dakota | $65.36 | $2,614 | $11,330 | $135,950 |
Tennessee | $56.16 | $2,246 | $9,730 | $116,810 |
Texas | $70.48 | $2,819 | $12,220 | $146,600 |
Utah | $65.36 | $2,614 | $11,330 | $135,950 |
Vermont | $65.93 | $2,637 | $11,430 | $137,130 |
Virginia | $66.14 | $2,646 | $11,460 | $137,570 |
Washington | $76.66 | $3,066 | $13,290 | $159,450 |
West Virginia | $60.38 | $2,415 | $10,470 | $125,580 |
Wisconsin | $68.53 | $2,741 | $11,880 | $142,540 |
Wyoming | $65.15 | $2,606 | $11,290 | $135,510 |
What is the Job Outlook Like for This Career?
Employment opportunities for plastic surgery nurse practitioners are projected to increase by 45 percent over the next 10 years. Given the soaring popularity of plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures, this isn’t surprising.
Useful Organizations and Associations
My Final Thoughts
Plastic surgery nurse practitioners earn some of the highest nurse practitioner salaries. The demand for plastic surgery nurse practitioner services is strong and gives every indication of growing more robust; plus, plastic surgery NPs have a high degree of job satisfaction since they work comparatively regular hours and, by and large, their clients are reasonably healthy and look forward to treatments. In this article, we’ve offered you a closeup of the plastic surgery nurse practitioner – what do they do, steps-to-become, and salary. Could this be the right career path for you? Your next step might be a visit to a medical spa to talk candidly with some of the professionals working there.
Frequently Asked Questions Answered
1. On Average, How Much Does A Plastic Surgery NP Make Per Hour?
The average salary of a Plastic Surgery nurse practitioner per hour is $70.49.
2. On Average, How Much Does A Plastic Surgery NP Make Per Week?
The average salary of a Plastic Surgery nurse practitioner per week is $2,820.
3. On Average, How Much Does A Plastic Surgery NP Make Per Month?
The average salary of a Plastic Surgery nurse practitioner per month is $12,220.
4. On Average, How Much Does A Plastic Surgery NP Make Per Year?
The average salary of a Plastic Surgery nurse practitioner per year is $146,620.
List of Sources Used for This Article
1. The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery: How to Become an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner:
https://aaams.net/why-nurse-practitioners-love-aesthetics-training/
2. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery: The Need for Evidence-Based Aesthetic Dermatology Practice:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2918343/
3. American Society of Plastic Surgeons: American Society of Plastic Surgeons Reveals 2022's Most Sought-After Procedures:
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/american-society-of-plastic-surgeons-reveals-2022s-most-sought-after-procedures#:~:text=According%20to%20this%20data%2C%20there,of%20patient%20and%20provider%20education.%22
4. The Esthetic Skin Institute:
https://www.esiw.com/
5. Aesthetic Mentor:
https://www.theaestheticmentor.com/courses/introduction-to-neurotoxins/
6. Aesthetic Medical Educators Training:
https://aestheticmedicaltraining.com/basic-injectable-dermal-filler-training-classes/
7. Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board:
https://psncb.org/
8. American Foundation for Aesthetic Medicine:
https://affam.org/fellowship
Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH
Pattie Trumble is a nurse who worked in both California and New York for many years as an emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an Associate Degree in Nursing from the Samuel Merritt Hospital School of Nursing. After 10 years of providing direct care, she went back to school and earned concurrent Master’s degrees in both public policy and public health from the University of California, Berkeley. Thereafter, she worked for various public health agencies in California at both the community and state levels providing economic and legislative analysis.