Finding the Strength to Keep Going: Aesthetic Nurse Overcomes Adversity and Resumes Her Path to Success

An example of determination: Taisy, an aesthetic nurse, overcomes adversity, resumes her journey and, head held high, moves on toward success

Dr. Taisy Silva has already appeared in our content when she spoke with us about starting her specialization in aesthetics. Her résumé includes experience ranging from hospital technician work to blood bank care, a DNA clinic and even supervising internships. A lot of experience, right? After some difficult moments, the aesthetic nurse overcomes adversity and resumes her path to success.

With so many roles already held in the clinical-hospital field, Taisy felt something more was still missing from her life. An entrepreneur at heart, she enrolled in the aesthetics specialization and, with the professional growth she gained, made her debut in the field.

To tell this part of Taisy's story, it must be said that everything you are about to read comes with respect and admiration for a woman, Black, from a low-income background, who, even in the face of all the obstacles life imposes, holds her head up and faces problems "eye to eye."

During the postgraduate program, Taisy realized the dream of opening her own space to see patients, but some difficulties made her lose what she had achieved. Even discouraged, with the pain of the fall, she showed that determination and family support are the tools needed to get back up, dust yourself off and go into another battle.

"The fall transformed me as a professional"

Taysi opened a space a few months ago and, with some problems, had to close the location. She says she took a loss, became very sad about the situation and thought about giving up at times, but her family's support at that time helped her regain the strength to go on. The day after this interview, Taisy was going to restart her journey and open her new space, in partnership with a friend.

Living the anticipation of opening her new space, she says that this fresh start has been a time of great joy and that she is better prepared with the new things she will be able to offer. “I 'broke,' but now I'm coming back with new procedures, new partnerships, and all of this new experience was thanks to the encouragement of my friends, teachers and family.”

Taysi says a lot has changed since her first chat with us. Months ago she had a different view of her journey, different goals, and when she found herself without direction, she needed to join forces with her family to keep going. “I had a lot of support, truly, from my mom, my sister, my family. I needed to look the problem in the face, identify it so I could begin solving it little by little. That's how I'm starting over, taking it piece by piece and winning little by little.”

For Taysi, staying in class was essential to keep shaping the professional she intends to be. Had she quit, she would not have had the chance to find herself again, to learn and to pass on the experience she gained from recent events. “Every time we come to class, we meet someone different, a different 'network' . Every person who passes through my life leaves their mark and so do I. I get messages from friends thanking me for some word or because they came to my space and learned something. This course was fundamental to getting where I am.”

Despite the difficulties, Taysi says the course transformed her life. She is very happy with her choice. There were moments of dissatisfaction, but conversations with teachers and even meeting Dr. Ana Carolina on one occasion were inspiring for her.

A sense of belonging. “This is my place”

For Taysi, a Black woman, some battles are not only external. Changing her way of thinking and the concept of can/can't and understanding that it is possible to be part of places that used to be "inaccessible" was necessary for this new person she is becoming.

She points out that she didn't have the feeling that a Black woman could be in aesthetics; after all, she lacked role models to see herself included in the field. All the change came coincidentally with aesthetics, because the tools she used didn't work only for her image, but also for her inner self.

She says that many times she didn't see herself as a strong, beautiful woman. At certain moments, others had to tell her so that she could understand her power. “For me to realize that, I needed to see the results of my work, the words of friends and teachers, my new partner who helps me in ways I don't even have words to describe. I didn't see that potential. I'm still surprised. I notice that people see me as bigger than I see myself, but this process of understanding, of knowing that I also have the right to be here, is daily. Sometimes I need to look in the mirror and tell myself, 'wake up, look who you are.'”

This process of deconstructing a distorted image of herself has been in progress, and today she can say she already notices the change. “There are times when I realize how beautiful I am, how powerful I am. That happens mainly when I can help someone, give support. That's where I see how much I'm worth.”

Aesthetics as a tool for transformation

It can't be denied that some people see aesthetics as frivolous. It is important to stress that physical change is tied to various needs, including psychological ones. Well-being and self-esteem are "areas" where aesthetics can act directly.

This process of change and transformation can be understood by those willing to set aside prejudice and act more in the realm of empathy.
Taysi's view on this is very direct: “Aesthetics goes far beyond a procedure.”

“I'm learning a lot from aesthetics. Not only as a professional, but as a person. Many patients come to us to solve problems beyond aesthetics. As a professional, I need to understand and help them with the part that is bothering them. I say that we work with the metaphysics of aesthetics, meaning way beyond the physical. It's doing a localized fat procedure, but making her see herself as beautiful just as she is. She's more than a belly or a wrinkle. She's a woman, or a man (laughs).”

Learning from mistakes and charting new plans

More mature, Taysi already has new goals for her career. In addition to projects already underway, like opening the new space alongside her friend, Joyce, she says she now wants to use what she has learned to empower more women with her story.

“I want to mention a teacher right here at Nepuga, who teaches in Rio de Janeiro, Dr. Denise Regina. She inspires me, and if she made it, I can too. She has an incredible space in aesthetics as a Black woman, and that captivates me.”

On being a role model for her social circle, Taisy says: “I inspire others too, going back to nursing. Many girls from my community take the course because of my influence. Since I taught nursing classes, many of my students are moving into aesthetics because of me.”

An entrepreneur, Taisy is already planning to create a mentorship to help people who want to get started in aesthetics.

Family support and an example of struggle and persistence

You can't tell this recent story of Taisy without mentioning three people. Coincidentally, three great women: her mother, Laurence, her sister, Nicolly and her partner in the new space, Joyce.

What's interesting about Taisy's life and the women around her is that there is always support from one for another. Her mother, her inspiration to follow the healthcare field (it was through her mother's admiration for healthcare professionals that she started in the field), said she is her daughters' first fan.

Mrs. Laurence says it was very hard to raise Taisy and her sister, Nicolly, because of life's difficulties, but that she never thought about giving up.

“We came from the outskirts, in a very precarious situation. We are women, Black, which makes our path much harder. I come from a complicated relationship, but by the grace of God, I was able to raise my two daughters.”

Laurence, besides being a fan, is one of Taisy's clients, who performs procedures on her proud mother. “Gratitude. It's immense happiness. I'm used to being taken care of by the girls. My husband, for example, had some health problems, and the two of them took courses in the healthcare field to be able to help at home.”

Laurence shows herself to be a strong woman. During our chat, she uses words like perseverance, struggle and victory to list her daughters' achievements, and she feels fulfilled by their success. “I always tell them that we must never give up. Every mistake brings learning, experience. Nothing goes to waste. I'll be in the stands of life, always cheering for them.”

Taisy's sister, Nicolly, is also in healthcare, as we mentioned. A graduate in Biomedicine, the youngest in the family saw in her sister the example to follow. “My father had some health problems. At the time, I was taking a computer course, and seeing Taisy studying Nursing gradually sparked my interest in the field of healthcare in general. Through the ENEM (Brazil's national high school exam) I got an almost full scholarship and started Biomedicine.”

Like Taisy, Nicolly also thought about giving up, but again, family unity and support kept her going. “I look up to Taisy. She's very careful, very attentive, always concerned about what we are feeling. She's an exemplary professional.”

The new page in Taisy's life begins with another great woman, her friend and space partner, Joyce. The two now work in Joyce's space.

Joyce reveals that the friendship goes back many years, and for more than a decade the two have shared a friendship of affection and respect. “We met at a hospital in Osasco where we worked together and my daughter was at daycare, but when she got sick and I needed to be away from work, she was the one who covered for me in the Emergency Room.”

The partnership stretched over a long 11 years, including a clothing store that the two owned together. “We even started a business in another field, in sales, 7 years ago. Two years ago, we talked and I told her I was going into aesthetics, and she asked me some questions about the career, which is when she started the course. Since I don't do body treatments, I asked her to come and partner with me. We're very happy with this achievement and to be able to work with her again.”

Here is one more chapter in Taisy's life, who, even in the face of adversity, follows her plan without lowering her head and leaves a message for anyone facing difficult times. “Feel in your heart what you want. Aesthetics is not beautification, it is transformation, giving new meaning to stories. Life will always have challenges. Look the problem in the face, confront it!”

Asked where her limit would be, she answers: “There is no limit. We can keep going and be whatever we want with planning and organization. Falling is normal; what you can't do is stay on the ground. Get up and keep going!”

Success Stories>Aesthetic Nursing