Aesthetic nursing
Aesthetic nursing is the provision of specialized procedures for the purpose of cosmetic treatment such as, but not limited to, dermal fillers, volume enhancers, collagen stimulators, lipolysis and neuromodulators. This area of practice is constantly evolving and could include more procedures.
The roles and responsibilities of a nurse performing aesthetic nursing procedures may vary by jurisdiction. It is the responsibility of a nurse coming from another jurisdiction to be familiar with the scope of practice in Alberta.
Amended regulations and standards
The newly amended Personal Services Regulation and the Personal Services Standards came into force on July 1, 2020 and establish minimum health and safety requirements for the personal services industry. Personal and health services may overlap. All nurses providing aesthetic procedures and treatments need to be aware of the all requirements relevant to their practice, as outlined in the personal services regulation and standards.
If you are the owner of an aesthetic nursing clinic and provide any of the services identified in the Personal Services Regulation, you must notify the Regional Health Authority (RHA), providing your name and contact information, address and
location of the business, and the types of services you will provide. You must also notify the RHA prior to offering any new personal service/activity.
Frequently asked questions
Do aesthetic procedures fall within my scope of nursing practice?
The scope of practice of a nurse in Alberta is outlined in the legislative framework and is further defined by each respective regulatory body. Performing procedures that are not within a nurse’s scope of practice can result in significant professional and legal consequences.
Administering neuromodulators such as Botox and dermal fillers are post entry-level competencies and are not taught in the entry to practice nursing programs. Neuromodulators require a client specific order following an initial assessment by an authorized prescriber such as a physician, dentist or nurse practitioner. As aesthetic nursing procedures pose potential risk to the client, appropriate emergency support should be readily available.
The nurse providing an aesthetic procedure uses a skill set comprised of the following competencies:
- a sensitive and respectful manner of communication, a positive non-judgmental attitude and caring behaviors
- thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the skin and underlying tissue
- thorough understanding of the medications and substances to be used
- strong analytical skills and clinical competence in this practice area
- provision of honest and factual counselling and advertising
In Alberta, RPNs, RNs, and LPNs are authorized under regulation and have the education to administer medications and substances by injection. An order by an authorized prescriber is required before any nurse can administer schedule 1 medications and/or substances (e.g. neuromodulators and dermal fillers). The nurse is responsible and accountable to have the required education and experience to carry out the order.
In addition, The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta requires that LPNs providing aesthetic nursing procedures within their defined scope of practice must have direct or indirect supervision by a physician or nurse practitioner. The physician or nurse practitioner must be trained in dermatology, on-site, and available to assist as necessary when aesthetic procedures and treatments are being performed.
Is there a difference between esthetic procedures and aesthetic procedures?
Do I need further education to provide aesthetic procedures?
Yes. Nurses must have the additional education to practise competently and ensure public safety. At entry to practice, nurses do not have the competencies or education to administer dermal fillers, volume enhancers, collagen stimulators and neuromodulators (e.g. Botox). Nurses must be sure the education and training they take provides core competencies including infection prevention and control best practices. On the job training may not provide the necessary competencies to practise aesthetic nursing safely as this requires specific education in anatomy and physiology of the skin and underlying tissue, assessment, and knowledge of neuromodulators and dermal fillers. Each nurse is responsible and accountable to ensure they have the knowledge to practice safely, competently and ethically.
NOTE: CLPNA, CARNA and CRPNA do not endorse any specific training course offering related to the field of aesthetic nursing at the present time. It is the responsibility of the nurse to ensure that any education and training they undertake provides core competencies to achieve competence to perform aesthetic procedures safely, it is expected that RNs, LPNs, and RPNs undertake additional theoretical knowledge and supervised clinical practice pertaining to the procedures & treatments in the following areas (but not inclusive to):
- Anatomy and physiology related to the treatment area
- Specific assessment of the dermatology patient
- Medications, pharmacology, and technique for treatments
- Complications of treatment and appropriate interventions
Documentation and record keeping - Is it required?
Yes. Nurses are required to document the care they provide accurately and in a timely, factual, complete and confidential manner. All documentation and record keeping must adhere to the documentation and privacy requirements as defined by their regulatory body, employer policy and provincial legislation. These documentation expectations are the same across all practice settings.
Documentation is not separate from care and is not optional. It is an integral part of the nurse’s practice, and an important tool that nurses use to ensure high-quality client care. Nurses document holistic, patient focused-care including relevant components of the nursing process:
- assessment
- nursing diagnosis
- plan
- implementation
- evaluation
Documentation is evidence that care has been provided and is necessary for:
- communication between health-care providers
- meeting professional and legal requirements
- quality improvement
- research
Do I need to obtain informed consent?
Yes. It is very important that the client understand risks, benefits and expected outcomes of treatment. Before providing any aesthetic nursing procedures, the nurse must obtain informed consent from the client for the specific procedure. Consent must be valid and current, and not have been retracted or withdrawn at the time of the procedure or treatment. Performing a procedure on a client without informed consent is considered unlawful and can result in professional conduct investigations and/or criminal charges regardless of whether the client is harmed or not.
For consent to be ‘informed’, the nurse must explain the intervention, including alternative options, as well as the disclosure of risks and complications. Consent must be voluntary and cannot be coerced from the client through undue influence or intentional misrepresentation. It is the responsibility of the nurse providing the service to:
- Assess the client’s ability to understand the nature of the proposed procedure, any risks and complications, and the right of refusal. Consent is only considered valid if the client fully understands what they are consenting to.
- Ensure that the proposed procedure is only provided to a minor (under 18) when parent/legal guardian consent is also obtained prior and treatment is mutually agreed upon between parent/legal guardian and minor.
- Obtain consent in an ethical manner and document accordingly. Re-establish consent if there are changes to the client’s initial care plan or the client has changed their mind.
- Consent to the proposed procedure needs to be obtained each time the intervention is provided.
It is important that the nurse mitigate the risk of complaints and legal action by ensuring that consent is informed and addresses the client’s expectations regarding outcomes before any procedure is performed.
What are my infection prevention and control (IP&C) responsibilities?
Nurses must ensure client safety which includes preventing health care-acquired infections. If you are practising in a clinic or have a self-employed practice it is important to use IP&C best practices and follow IP&C policies.
The following routine practices are an important component of IP&C and should be used at all times:
- There should be dedicated hand-washing sinks and hand sanitizer stations.
- Follow the four moments of hand hygiene.
- Ensure the appropriate personal protective equipment is used for the procedure performed.
- Surfaces and equipment must be cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilized appropriately.
- Single-use devices must only be used once.
- Any waste, whether general or biomedical, must be disposed of safely and appropriately.
There are many IP&C resources available to help ensure the safety of the client and the nurse.
What do I need to know about liability and self-employed practice?
The Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS) provides CARNA members with professional liability protection, as well as offers legal advice, risk management services and legal assistance. CNPS will only provide liability protection if you are providing professional nursing services. When working in collaboration with other health care professionals you should confirm each health care professional has adequate liability protection.
RNs or NPs who engage in independent nursing practice by themselves, in partnership with other practitioners, or by employing others are considered to be self-employed.
Who can prescribe neuromodulators and dermal fillers?
Medication listed on Health Canada’s prescription drug list can only be prescribed by authorized regulated health professionals. In Alberta, these health professionals include:
- physicians
- nurse practitioners
- dentists
- pharmacists who have been granted prescribing authority by the Alberta College of Pharmacy
Neuromodulators, such as botulinum toxin, are Schedule 1 medications and can only be prescribed by an authorized prescriber as outlined in the Government Organization Act and respective regulation for each health profession. Some dermal fillers are classified as Schedule 2 medications and do not need a client specific order unless required by employer policy.
Nurses must be satisfied that the practitioner prescribing the neuromodulator or dermal filler is authorized by their college to engage in this practice.
What are the rules governing prescribers?
What are the considerations for procurement and storage of medications and substances?
Information
CARNA
Documentation Standards for Regulated Members
Guidelines for Medication and Vaccine Injection Safety
Prescribing Standards for Nurse Practitioners
Restricted Activates Standards
Aesthetic nursing: Regulatory matters webinar with CLPNA and CRPNA
CLPNA
Competency Profile for Licensed Practical Nurses
Licensed Practical Nurses Profession Regulation
CNPS
Considerations for providing cosmetic services
Consent to treatment: The role of the nurse
Professional Liability Protection
Quality documentation: Your best defense
CPSA
Physician prescribing practices
Standards of Practice: Informed Consent
Standards of Practice: Telemedicine
CSASN
CRPNA
Registered Psychiatric Nurse Profession Regulation
Government of Alberta
Infection prevention and control
Registered Nurses Profession Regulation
Government of Canada


