Cosmetic Nursing Journal Article Feature

Cosmetic Nursing Journal Article Feature

This is the first of many blogs at the Australasian Academy of Cosmetic Dermal Science featuring journal articles to assist our students’ learning. Today’s featured article is for cosmetic nurses, though is also applicable to dermal therapists and cosmetic doctors.

We selected this article because it reinforces the importance of the holistic approach in aesthetics. If you haven’t already completed unit CDNIHD01 Integrate health and dermatology for aesthetic practice, the holistic approach is something you’ll learn in this unit.

If you’re an AACDS Grad who completed your course prior to the introduction of this unit, you can enrol in the Professional Certificate in Integrated Health and Dermatology as it provides the same learning outcomes.

We hope you enjoy the following article from the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing 9(1), 36 https://doi.org/10.12968/joan.2020.9.1.36

The importance of a holistic approach in aesthetic nursing

A holistic approach involves consideration of a patient’s physical, mental and emotional health

Nursing is consistently found to be one of the most trusted and respected professions in the UK, if not the world (CV-Library, 2019). In fact, in one poll in the US shows that nursing has been rated the highest profession for honesty and integrity for 17 years in a row (Brennan, 2018).

Aesthetic nurses are nurses first and foremost

While aesthetic nurses do not work in a traditional healthcare setting, we are still, first and foremost, nurses. The four themes of the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) Code (NMC, 2019) say that nurses must prioritise people, practice effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust. This equally applies whether you work in A&E or an aesthetic clinic.

Furthermore, the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) advocate that aesthetic practitioners should have at least 3 years of postgraduate general nursing experience before embarking on a specialist career in aesthetic nursing. This is so practitioners can bring the firm foundations of nursing practice into their clinic (BACN, 2019).

Defining the holistic approach

In a medical setting, a holistic approach means looking for the underlying causes of a condition rather than just treating the symptoms. This approach means considering a patient’s physical, mental and emotional health, as well as any social factors that may be affecting them.

In an aesthetic setting, some say a holistic approach means discussing more than one procedure. Rather than just giving your client the treatment that they originally asked for, a broader range of treatments that complement each other can be discussed.

While in principle I agree with this, I see it as the second step in a holistic approach. The first, and most important, step is to understand the motivations for treatment, as well as understanding what the patient is trying to achieve to manage expectations.

So, we are not just injectors, and are able to look at the person behind the patient. We know that helping a client to look and feel better has a significant impact on how they feel in themselves and it can have a positive impact on their whole quality of life.

Why it is okay to say ‘no’

We want our clients to feel more confident than when they visited our clinic, so we need to fully understand their rationale for seeking treatment before we can treat them successfully. Aesthetic treatments alone will not solve any underlying psychological problems that a person may have, and practitioners have to be aware of this. If in doubt, then it is recommended to refer if appropriate.

Ultimately, providing a holistic approach in your practice will build trust and develop a long-term relationship with your clients and, professionally, is very fulfilling.

 

References:

Brennan M. Nurses again outpace other professions for honesty, ethics. 2018.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/245597/nurses-again-outpace-professions-honesty-ethics.aspx
(accessed 3 January 2020)

British Association of Cosmetic Nurses. Entering aesthetics. 2019.
https://www.bacn.org.uk/ training-and-education/entering-aesthetics
(accessed 3 January 2020)

CV-Library. The 10 least and most trusted professions in the UK. 10 June 2019.
https://www.cv-library.co.uk/recruitment-insight/10-least-trusted-professions-uk
(accessed 3 January 2020)

Nursing and Midwifery Council. The Code.2019.
https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code
(accessed 3 January 2020)

Written by Julie Brackenbury Aesthetic nurse specialist, JB Cosmetic