This month sees the launch of the Cosmetic Nurses Association; a new, professional, not-for-profit organisation representing the interests of its members, with the intention of being a voice for Cosmetic Nurses in Australia.
At the launch, President of the Cosmetic Nurses Association’s Advisory Committee, Jacinta King, announced, “Today marks a good day in the history of nursing and for nurses who specialise in cosmetic nursing.
“To date, nurses who perform non-surgical cosmetic treatments have not been recognised as a specialist group.
“The CNA mandate is to change this, formalising a speciality in cosmetic nursing that will be recognised by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Ms King said.
The CNA plans to be the largest professional association for nurses carrying out cosmetic treatments in Australia. It will operate under a Constitution with an Advisory Committee who will set out the standards and educational expectations of someone who wants to call themselves a Cosmetic Nurses.
The CNA will have a dual role:
- To be a voice for all cosmetic Nurses.
- To provide services and support to all its members.
- To promote and support patient safety in non-surgical cosmetic treatments.
The CNA will provide a range of benefits to members, including educational opportunities, business support and best practice guidelines, clinical guidelines, and access to financial benefits.
Ms King said we have big goals to kick as an Advisory Committee.
“By 2021, we are aiming to have 1,000 members who support our goal of enhancing the reputation of Cosmetic Nurses.
“At CNA, we want Cosmetic Nurses to have a clearly defined career pathway that is meaningful and recognises them for their commitment to best practice. We are also here to empower Cosmetic Nurses with the clinical skills and knowledge to expertly deliver non-surgical cosmetic treatments through ongoing educational opportunities.
“As the leading professional association representing Cosmetic Nurses, we will work alongside the other medical bodies to support nurses in delivering high-quality treatments. The CNA will lead the way in ethics, setting Best Practice standards and by providing education and training, advocacy, and support for our membership in collaboration with the industry stakeholders,” Ms King said.
According to research conducted by the CNA, the majority of Cosmetic Nurses surveyed agree there is a dire need for such an association to represent the needs of nurses, however, no one to date has taken on the financial responsibility to get a Cosmetic Nurses Association from dream to reality.
That is where three passionate people with a long list of credentials in cosmetic medicine stepped up to the plate.
Ms Nicole Schmid-Sanele, Ms Melissa Isaia and Dr Dennis McCurdy have taken on the financial investment.
The trio make up the Board of Directors along with Sheri-lee Knoop (Registered Nurse).
Ms Isaia explained that herself, along with Dr McCurdy and Ms Schmid Sanele have dipped into their own pockets to set up the CNA.
“Our investment has been spent on getting the legal advice that has helped the CNA achieve not-for-profit status, the development of policies and procedures to launch the CNA with, and built a website that will be both a place for the public and members to find information about cosmetic nursing.
“It is not our long-term goal or need to be involved in the day-to-day running of the association, but as industry veterans, we know all too well about the importance of such an association. It is long overdue,” Ms Isaia said.
To ensure the CNA is speaking on behalf of all Cosmetic Nurses, the Board of Directors has appointed an Advisory Committee to run the CNA. The Advisory Committee is made up of nurses from all sectors of cosmetic nursing:
- Jacinta King – President of the Advisory Committee
- Sheri-lee Knoop – Chair
- Alex Pike – Secretary
- Elysse Kenner – Member
- Bernice Ellis – Member
- Nicole Schmid-Sanele – Member
- Jessica Maggs – Member
- Hannah Rivers – Member
For more information Phone: 1300 262 111 Email: info@cosmeticnursesassociation.org.au Website: www.cosmeticnursesassociation.org.au
