Q and A: Randi Horne, AGPCNP in aesthetics

Are you interested in aesthetics or cosmetics? Aesthetic nurse practitioners typically work in private offices or medical spas offering a range of services, which could include pre- and post-operative care for plastic surgery, skincare treatments, dermal-filler injections, dermabrasion, micro-needling or even tattoo removal.

Alumna Randi Horne, MSN ’15, is an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) and entrepreneur who works in aesthetic medicine. Learn more about why she chose to become an AGPCNP, what drew her to the specialty and what she enjoys about her role as an aesthetic nurse practitioner.

After graduating with my BSN in 2007, I joined a general surgery clinic for a Level 1 trauma county hospital in Texas. Those were two years of great learning experiences, including working in orthopedic post-operative acute care, radiation/oncology and a cosmetic surgery post-anesthesia care unit.

At the time of my decision, more nurses were enrolling in the FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) program, but I felt the role of AGPCNP was better suited for me because all my nursing experience had been with teen and adult patients. I also wanted to shift to the preventive level of care, instead of acute care. The role of AGPCNP was perfect for my transition from RN to advanced provider before becoming an aesthetic nurse practitioner.

The program allowed me to leverage my autonomy while guiding me in honing my assessment, diagnosis and educational skills. The college also accepted clinical rotations in the dermatology and cosmetic surgery office setting, which helped me narrow my field of practice upon graduation.

As an AGPCNP, I have practiced in both the aesthetic medicine and research roles. Initially, I worked for a large multistate med spa directing a team of RNs, LVNs, aestheticians and laser technicians in the care of aesthetic patients. In 2020, I began working as a research NP providing in-home assessments for patients in cardiac and diabetes studies. My newest role as an aesthetic research NP for Allergan Aesthetics with the CoolSculpting® division has merged these two specialties. I assess and clear all patients for numerous aesthetic procedures, such as facial injectables, laser therapy, radiofrequency microneedling, body contouring and cryolipolysis. I also am trained and certified to treat patients in these procedures. My main daily duty is making sure my team follows protocols and utilizes equipment/products appropriately. I am also part of an interprofessional clinical study team, where I monitor patient safety and implement device treatments while utilizing newly engineered device applicators and accessories. My long-term responsibilities include continuously educating patients about procedure maintenance, prescribing medical-grade routine skincare, managing any adverse reactions to procedures or skincare products, learning new procedures and techniques and reassessing if treatment is therapeutic. I also assess usability and feasibility of devices to determine treatment efficacy, which is studied over years with our research and development team.

As an AGPCNP, I have been able to have positive interactions with patients and gain trust by providing high-quality care. In 2020, when I ventured into the role of small business owner (Aesthetic Artist), I partnered with a physician and began a concierge facial injectable and skincare business, which gave me freedom to build a patient roster and treat with products I love and are backed by rigorous research. The challenges I encountered with breaking into the field of aesthetics were timing, patience and required further education outside of graduate school because it is a specialty. There is no strict stepwise plan for aesthetics treatments, which can be daunting at times, but it also allows for my creative side to flourish.