Newly Graduated Nurse Wants to Shine in Aesthetics

She has worked in hospitals for eight years; now, newly graduated in nursing, she wants to shine in aesthetics and open her own clinic

Karen Cristina is a nurse. Newly graduated, the young woman from Santos has worked in hospitals for eight years. Her story began in her teens, when at 16 she decided to pursue a career in health and enrolled in a nursing technician course. Right after finishing, she decided to earn a degree in the field. She admits that at that time she didn't have much support from her family, who wanted her to study business administration, but, with little affinity for “numbers and paperwork,” she chose to stay with nursing. That was when Karen realized her passion for health and caring for others.

As the years went by, Karen became even more enchanted with the program and the work; it's no accident that she has been working as a nurse for almost a decade. She faced difficult times with her fellow professionals, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, and that was when she chose to take another step in her career.

Looking at yourself and changing your story takes courage, and that is how she decided to change professions

After many years in hospitals caring for people and living through many stories, Karen chose to follow another path. As soon as she finished her degree, she already had in mind that she would move into aesthetics, because that was where she found herself as a professional. “I've been in health care for about eight years, and as soon as I finished college, that's where I found myself, in aesthetics.”

A graduate of this year's July class, Karen has already enrolled in the postgraduate program. She knows the specialization puts her ahead in the market and didn't want to wait for that to happen. Karen understands the need to be entrepreneurial and to think about her career. She says she works in ICUs and was there during Covid, and that the days were very hard; that was when she saw the opportunities and advantages aesthetics offers.

Karen began searching for a place where she could expand her skills and become a qualified professional in aesthetics. After some research and recommendations from friends and nursing professors, she found Nepuga, where she is now taking her postgraduate program.

“The entrepreneurial part is very important. I've always liked the idea of creating my own business, and when I saw the advantage of entering entrepreneurship through aesthetics, I thought, this is my place.”

“My dream has always been to work for myself. To have more flexibility, more availability in my schedule.”

To make this dream come true, Karen wants to be prepared to take on the responsibilities a quality professional will have. Before striking out on her own, she plans to do a mentorship, that is, to shadow other professionals already in the market to gain experience.

“First I want to do a mentorship, then open a space, in Santos itself, and in the future expand, open a larger clinic, and also be able to offer mentorship. Be a professional who guides new colleagues and shows them how the procedures work, like a “teacher or tutor.”

Market outlook and possibilities in aesthetics

Karen is doing the clinical immersion of her specialization in São Paulo, but when she finishes, she intends to return to Santos, where she plans to open her clinic. She says the Baixada Santista market is very competitive, with many people in aesthetics, such as dentists, aesthetic biomedical professionals, or aesthetic nurses; however, there is a lot of demand for aesthetic procedures.

Karen also cites the important COFEN Resolution 626/2020 , which authorized nursing professionals with a postgraduate degree in Aesthetic Nursing to work in the field. “It was a big step forward for our profession.”

Karen's focus in opening her own clinic is to escape the long routine of a nurse. One of the things that discourages her most is the work schedule. She currently works 12×36 shifts, that is, 12 hours straight. For her, the routine ends up draining her energy; after all, they are many hours in contact with various situations that are not always good. “There is some flexibility, but it's a very draining routine in the hospital. I believe only those who work there know what the day-to-day is like and how it affects our energy.” She also acknowledges that patient care is given with a lot of affection and attention. “We receive a lot of praise, a lot of recognition for everything that has been done, especially during the Covid pandemic.”

Karen has begun the search for her life project and for growth in aesthetics. Progress in the field depends only on her, and she knows it. As she herself says: “Caring through aesthetics is dealing with life and making people happy,” and she wants to fulfill her dream and that of her patients.

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