Question:
Dear Nancy,
Can a nurse perform microdermabrasion, glycolic peels, other non-dermal skin care and teeth whitening as part of their own practice, without a physician or dentist?
Jenny
Nancy Brent replies:
Dear Jenny,
Your state nurse practice act and its rules and regulations should provide you with the information you need concerning these treatments. Specifically, the act should tell you whether these treatments are included in the scope of nursing practice in your state and, if so, under what circumstances a licensed RN can perform them.
Pay close attention to any definitions included in the act or rules. As an example, "supervision" and/or "direction" would be two key definitions to check. Also necessary to review would be the scope of practice of a licensed registered nurse in the act.
If you are not comfortable with doing this review yourself, you can try contacting your board of nursing by going to its home page on the Internet. Often times, newsletters concerning practice issues generated by a board are posted there.
Cordially,
Nancy
