Transition from Beauty Therapy to Aesthetician: Changing Roles and Employment

This paper focuses on the transition from beauty therapy to an aesthetician and the changing roles of employment within the cosmetic industry. It discusses the qualifications and training required for registered nurses and aesthetician, the obstacles faced during the transition period, and the regulation of the cosmetic industry. The motives and benefits of beauty therapists transitioning to aesthetician are also explored.

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Foundation of Aesthetics
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliate
Date

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Introduction
Aesthetics is the principles that deal with appreciation and nature of beauty. It is
generally a branch of the philosophy whose major concern is in the taste, beauty, and art. Beauty
and appearance have been a key aspect in the lives of women, irrespective of the decade, century
and era. In the earliest centuries, the changes were not much prominent and slow, however, in the
20th century, there have been quicker changes in the styles and trends over the decades. The
changes that have been witnessed in the beauty therapy over the years discloses more than a
skin-deep history. This paper seeks to focus on the transition from beauty therapy to an
aesthetician as well as the changing roles of employment within the cosmetic bodies.
Transition to Registered Nurses
The major difference between an enrolled nurse and a registered nurse lies in the level of
qualifications. A registered nurse often supervises an enrolled nurse, thus an enrolled nurse
cannot work independently from the care plan offered by such a registered nurse (Konechna-
Novak, 2016). Based on qualifications, an enrolled nurse in an individual who has completed a
diploma in enrolled nursing through a training institution. However, for a registered nurse, he or
she must have completed a bachelor’s degree in the nursing profession.
. Every year nursing graduates are registered into various nursing care facilities upon
their graduation. During the transition from an enrolled nurse to a registered nurse, it is critical
for an individual to have a job with a particular company that offers ongoing training (Konechna-
Novak, 2016). Consequently, the training has to be updated and reviewed continuously to adhere
to the high standards of excellence during the practice as well as the practice of procedures based
on health authorities.

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The transition period comes with both excitements as well as anxiety, and fear. Most of
the graduates often have questions regarding ability and also whether they made the right the
career choices not. Additionally, there is often the question of what it takes to be a nurse in the
new wards an individual will be placed in. A lot of individual describe the transition period as a
shock, however, they have to face it (Whitehead, et.al, 2016). Unlike in other careers, where no
human life is hurt or killed, in a nursing career, there is a possibility of hurting or killing another
person. Generally, new nurses feel insecure about their capacity to become registered nurses, and
it is during such a transition period that several issues occur that contributes widely to the
feelings of insecurity. Some of the key issues that transpire during the transition period include
medication administration, theory-to-practice gaps, documentation skills, working and
collaborating within teams, accountability and patient assessment skills (Rolls, 2017).
Obstacles
During the transition period, there are a variety of obstacles that are faced by the nurses.
Some of the obstacles include anxiety, fear, insecurity, and uncertainty that are experienced by
the new nurses. The above-mentioned elements tend to contribute to a slow transition process.
Time Taken During the Transition
To become, a registered nurse, it takes approximately two years. Such a timeframe allows
for smooth transition as the new nurses get used to the new environment that is the new ward.

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Workloads
Yes, there is a lot of workloads experienced by the new nurses. After positioning in
particular wards, the nurses are given too much work that often derails their morale towards
duties. Many of them end up quitting their jobs as a result of frustrations. The much workload
causes the new nurses to experience certain disorders such as stress, fear, depression, and
anxiety.
In beauty therapy program, learners learn business principles and aesthetic course
application through ancient course outline (theory work), laboratory practical and attachment
inform of the internship. In this way, graduates are equipped with the necessary skills to meet the
required conditions for a state license to operate as cosmologist (Gallagher, & Joppe, 2016). To
acquire a diploma in beauty therapy, one needs to study for two academic years in community
colleges (General Education Development) or even vocational learning institutions which in
most cases offer online courses. At diploma level, a student is taught theory concerning the
content and laboratory practical. The topics in the course outline include facial treatments, body
massages, depletion, day to night makeup, manicure and pedicure which are taught via lecture
means by qualified lecturers that are considered experts in cosmology.
In the process, students as well as to gain trading and marketing skills. The degree
program requires four years of study in the universities with the course content a bit advanced to
the diploma courses as there is additional course outline like cosmology certification and
certificate information. One may require to extend his studies for musters level which takes two
years splinted into two segments; one academic year theory work and another one year for
research and practical works. Since the curriculum varies for various countries, minimally, one
will require at least 18 years beginning from the kindergarten level to the university level (Heyes,

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2016). To become a medical aesthetician, an individual is required to have attained a high school
diploma to study cosmetology program. An examination license is required that proves one did
the written test and practical tests as well.
An individual is expected to develop certain personal skills to become professionals in
service delivery. Such skills include compassion, strong personal skills, attention to details and
public speaking skills among others. In addition, one may be required to learn peripheral skills
on how to use computer software specifically the Microsoft office and Healthcare System
software. Additional training such as Botox training and prolonger stamina might add one an
upper hand when it comes to qualification. Summarized are the steps an individual need to go
through to become a cosmetic nurse. First, you need to get the right education in pharmacology,
pediatrics, physiology, and nutrition among others (Heyes, 2016). To become a qualified nurse
practitioner, you need to have a Master degree of science in Nursing which for some states might
require additional qualifications. Secondly, you should apply for an LPN nursing license which
is obtained on excelling to the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical nurse NCLEX-
RN exam after graduating from a nursing program approved by the licensing agency.
The third step is specializing in cosmetic nursing, while still in school, you can consider
taking specific units relating to cosmetic nursing such as fat grafting, liposuction and chemical
peels son as to be able to perform Botox injections, assessing aging skin, handling the clinical
application and post-surgery patient care. The fourth step is the application for certification and
finally, you should consider advancing in education (AMBROSIO, 2018). Aestheticians have
different professional skills compared to cosmetic nursing skills. The differences are,
aestheticians have remarkable clinical skills for physician and integrated nursing practices and

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clinical skin care treatment planning and implementation among others that can only be obtained
under due study.
Regulation of Cosmetic Industry
During the beautification process, a laser equipment is used. In order to offer light-based
treatment using the lasers, there has to be compliance with the relevant Australian laser safety
standards (Leong, & Crossman, 2015). Additionally, the manufacturer of the laser equipment
must ensure that there is appropriate classification of lasers that are used for the sole purpose of
cosmetics. Moreover, such a classification should be made clear on a label affixed to the housing
of the laser equipment. One key thing that is critical to note is that the Australian standard, a key
regulator in the cosmetic industry adheres to the International Electrotechnical Commission
which widely used across the globe. During the cosmetic treatments using LED phototherapy,
lasers and IPLs, it is important to offer the technicians, clients as well as treatment providers with
the necessary PPE when carrying out the procedure and also as you enter regions where IPLs and
lasers are being used (Koch, 2017). Also, the standard offer the right procedure when an injury
occurs to the individual receiving the treatment such that the treatment is discontinued
immediately, and a first aid is done. The Australian standard offers the consequences of failing to
protect your clients, technicians and treatment providers. The regulatory body concerned with the
regulation of cosmetic industry is ARPANSA whose key goals include, commitment to good
regulatory practice and independent review of regulatory activities. It plays a major key role in
offering protection to the environment and society from dangerous effects of radiation caused by
industries in cosmetology.

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However, despite the regulation of the cosmetic industry, there are just a few cases of the
transition of the beauty therapists to become aestheticians (Koch, 2017). Such few transitional
cases are due to less strictness of regulation in the industry by the concerned bodies. Therefore,
not many implications have been experienced by beauty therapists.
Motives of Beauty Therapists
Many of the beauty therapists tend to move to become aesthetician with certain critical
motives as well as benefits. There are several benefits associated with being aesthetician that acts
as the motivating factors for such a move. For instance, there are flexible schedules that allow
aestheticians to carry out other crucial tasks (Shusterman, 2016). Also, there are many job
opportunities that are available, unlike in beauty therapy with limited opportunities. Moreover,
there is often career growth in aesthetic, and this has been attributed to the rising demand for skin
care services, resulting in an increased number of aesthetician career opportunities. Another key
benefit that motivates the beauty therapists to transit to aesthetician is due to the pleasant
working environment available. Such a good environment enhances their working morale
leading to better performance to organizations they work in.
References

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