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The Association of Aesthetic Nurses (AAN) today
announces the most recent and innovative development in the
field of Aesthetic Nursing. Beginning in January 2005, AAN
will begin offering a professional certification program for
Aesthetic Nurses. The program will be open to all nurses seeking
to advance their professional status in this specialized and
rapidly growing field of nursing.
Many of you know that I coined the phrase "Aesthetic
Nurse Specialist" 10 years ago. Since then I have seen
many nurses enroll in hands-on aesthetic courses and go on
to become successful and highly regarded in their practices
as Aesthetic Nurse Specialists. Unfortunately, I have also
seen nurses call themselves Aesthetic Nurse Specialists simply
because they work under a plastic surgeon or dermatologist,
even though they may not have received hands-on training from
these physicians, and do not even perform Aesthetic Procedures
as part of their daily routine.
I have recognized for some time, that our profession needs
a way to identify the Aesthetic Nurse Specialist who has received
proper instruction and training, and to distinguish that nurse
from others who have not received such training and instruction.
After giving this issue much thought and study, I have concluded
that a formal certification program for Aesthetic Nurse Specialists
is necessary to achieve this important goal.
As stated above, the Association of Aesthetic Nurses will
offer a new program in January 2005 that will allow properly
trained and tested Aesthetic Nurse Specialists to become certified.
The certification program will comprise a course of study,
hands-on training previously provided by the Aesthetic Enhancement
Institute, and a demonstrated commitment to high standards
of professional ethics. Nurses who successfully complete the
program - and only those nurses - will be permitted to identify
themselves as a "CERTIFIED AESTHETIC NURSE SPECIALIST"
(CANS). They will also be permitted to use the CANS logo and
display the official CANS Certificate in their offices, treatment
facilities, and to use it in advertising their services.
I am grateful to my colleague Anna Becker-Northrup RN. She
has encouraged me in recent months as I have worked to establish
standards for the Aesthetic Nurse Specialist profession. Through
her, and with the assistance of Stephen L. Humphrey, Esq.,
a trademark attorney in Washington, DC, I am not only developing
a certification program, but have also registered a federal
certification mark application with the United States Patent
and Trademark Office in Washington, DC. The certification
mark, or logo, will be set aside for the exclusive use of
Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialists. Once the program is
launched, only nurses who have satisfactorily completed all
prescribed training and instruction will be permitted to display
the certification logo. This restriction /privilege will be
strictly enforced by the Federal Trademark Litigation.
So, it is up to you to decide whether you will help take our
profession to a higher level by seeking certification, and
encouraging other qualified nurses to do so, as well. We will
raise the standards and respect for our nursing profession
by taking these steps together.
It has come to our attention that there are "generic"
Aesthetic Organizations out there vying for your attention
by calling themselves Aesthetic Nurse Specialists. Beware
of these imposters. What sets us apart, is that we are properly
trained and known to adhere to recognized standards of ethical
excellence established for our profession. These standards,
and your earned title of "Aesthetic Nurse Specialist"
will be protected. The medical community, and the rest of
your fellow Aesthetic colleagues will soon know the difference
between a "Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS),
and a generic "specialist" lacking professional
instruction and training.
Again, thanks to Anna Becker-Northrup RN, for her insight,
creativity, professionalism and resolve in promoting the Field
of Aesthetics and the interests of Aesthetic Nurse Specialists.
This was no small feat. The huge undertaking and swift resolve
is a credit to her profession. In addition, Anna has agreed
to coordinate and oversee the credentialling and implementation
of our new certification program for AAN.
If you have any general questions, please feel free to forward
your questions to Anna.
Thanks to Anna and our professional organization, we now believe
in the possibility of a continued future with nurses working
in the field of Aesthetics!
Sincerely,
Barbara Jones, ARNP
President of AAN
954-926-6794
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