NHS to Aesthetics… Lets talk the jump!
The pandemic hit back and it was 2019 - I started a new job in general practice and I found myself working all the hours known to man. It was during this time a fellow colleague and now very good friend encouraged me to enrol onto a one of the worlds renowned global aesthetics training school called Derma Medical. I saved to cover the cost and booked the course thinking it would be a walk in the park, oh how was I wrong. I attended the course based in Harley Street London for a 1day course which I completed in foundation botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. I remember leaving this course thinking I know nothing, how am I to get started let alone feel comfortable treating clients……. I felt so out of my depth and I had been a qualified nurse for just over 10 years!
The course taught me the basics, which if I look back on now nearly 2 years later it taught me very little. There was no teaching on complications and how to deal with them, which now I fully understand is the bread and butter in basic aesthetics practice and key when you are first starting out not only to become a safe practitioner.
I was very lucky to have Tanya from The Derma Clinic Kent who gave me her time and was willing to share her knowledge & skills. I found myself shadowing her every opportunity I had be it evenings or external clinics which were invaluable and for that I can not thank her enough.
Along the way Ive had to continue my learning in aesthetics from advanced filler & botox, micro needling, mesotherpy / ARC, skin boosters - profhilo / seventy hyal, non-medical weightloss, dermatological skin care, hydra facials, Bio-Identical Hormone replacement & recently morpheus8. If I had my chance again to train in aesthetics / start my career again id have snapped up the opportunity for a 6 month mentorship with continuous guidance. It can be a lonely and scary world out there, very much dog eat dog world! All I can say is consistency is key and if you are willing to put in the hours, hard graft, have sleepless nights & juggling you can achieve an amazing career in a profession that is so misunderstood.
Nurse Practitioner Kelly Barton