[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Plastic Surgery Nurse Career in Brief[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]People undergo plastic surgery for many reasons. In some cases, reconstructive care helps patients recover from serious illnesses or injuries, like breast cancer or burn accidents. Other individuals wish to change an aspect of their appearance for aesthetic or cosmetic purposes.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Plastic surgery nurses assist the surgeons who carry out these procedures. These nurses may also assess patients before surgery, provide assistance in the operating room, or administer postoperative care. Some may even carry out [hen-ui-link href=”/articles/meet-a-cosmetic-nurse/”]nonsurgical procedures[/hen-ui-link] themselves.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Career Traits[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Patient assessment and safety[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Knowledge of reconstructive and aesthetic surgery[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Communication skills[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Interpersonal skills[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do Plastic Surgery Nurses Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Plastic surgery nurses work in many different settings, including private medical offices, hospital operating rooms, and outpatient clinics.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Private Surgeon’s Clinics[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Plastic surgery nurses educate patients on what to expect from the operation, monitor patients during surgery, and follow up with patients after procedures.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Hospital Operating Rooms[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Plastic surgery nurses sterilize and prepare operating rooms; assess patients’ vital signs before, during, and after surgery; and dress wounds after procedures.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Outpatient Clinics[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Plastic surgery nurses assess patients before consultation and surgery, provide information about treatments, and assist surgeons during procedures.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Is Plastic Surgery Nursing Right for Me?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It is important to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of any career, so that you can be better prepared whichever path you choose. Consider the following pros and cons.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become a Plastic Surgery Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Plastic Surgery Nurses Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), RNs enjoy a median annual salary of $77,600 . While the BLS does not offer salary data specifically for plastic surgery nurses, data [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Plastic_Surgery_Nurse/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]from Payscale[/hen-ui-link] suggests that these professionals make an average base salary of $32 per hour. Actual earnings vary according to location, experience, and education level.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RN jobs are projected to grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than average for all other professions. An aging population requires more medical care and may also look to reverse the effects of aging with plastic surgery.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn more about [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/plastic-surgery-nurse/”]plastic surgery nurse salaries[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-article-card title=”Find State-Specific Salary Data” href=”/registered-nursing/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How long does it take to become a plastic surgery nurse?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It can take 4-6 years to [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/plastic-surgery-nurse/how-to-become/”]become a plastic surgery nurse[/hen-ui-link], including earning specialty certification. An associate degree traditionally takes two years to complete, while a bachelor’s program lasts four years. After graduating and earning licensure, RNs must gain at least two years of experience before applying for certification.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What types of procedures are most common for plastic surgery nurses?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Plastic surgery nurses assist surgeons with all kinds of procedures. According to a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2020/cosmetic-procedures-region-2020.pdf” target=”_blank”]2020 report[/hen-ui-link] from the American Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the most common plastic surgery procedures include breast augmentations, facelifts, eyelid surgery, liposuction, and nose reshaping.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What skills are important for plastic surgery nurses?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Plastic surgery nurses share the same skills as other nurses: interpersonal expertise, the ability to take physical assessments, patient care, and communication skills in relaying information to both surgeons and patients. Additionally, plastic surgery nurses need an in-depth understanding of cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Are CPSNs required to renew their certification?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes. CPSNs must [hen-ui-link href=”https://psncb.org/multimedia/files/CPSN/Recertification-Guidelines.pdf” target=”_blank”]renew their certification[/hen-ui-link] every three years. Nurses qualify for renewal if they have completed at least 45 patient contact hours, including two hours related to patient safety.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Resources for Plastic Surgery Nurses[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://ispan.org/” target=”_blank”] International Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Founded in 1975, this global nonprofit organization promotes education for plastic surgery nurses. Members can connect with other nurses and learn more about the profession at the organizations annual meeting. Members also receive a subscription to their journal Plastic Surgical Nursing and receive discounts on ISPAN publications. The group offers credentials, including the CPSN and the certified aesthetic nurse specialist (CANS).[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.plasticsurgery.org/” target=”_blank”] American Society of Plastic Surgeons[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This group connects professionals and plastic surgery patients. Surgeons and nurses who join ASPS gain access to educational and professional development opportunities. They can also subscribe to ASPS publications and get involved with the community through online forums and job boards.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://aaams.net/” target=”_blank”] The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The AAAMS offers formal cosmetic surgery training for nurses, practitioners, and physicians. Members can take courses in facial and body aesthetics, such as liposuction and dermal fillers training. These resources can prove helpful for nurses who wish to get started in the industry.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.cosmeticsurgery.org/” target=”_blank”] American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This organization provides training, professional development, and advocacy for professionals in the cosmetic surgery field. Members can attend an annual conference, participate in the AACS training institute, or take part in web clinics.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34437,41460,33977,37153″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Page last reviewed November 12, 2021[/hen-ui-text]