07/26/2026
The recent CBC story on the College of Nurses of Ontario’s new aesthetic‑practice guidelines has sparked an important conversation. First, sincere thanks to the CNO for formally recognizing aesthetic nursing as a specialty and for the work invested in developing these new guidelines. They are detailed, thoughtful, and long overdue.
But many of us are asking the same question: Are they enough?
CNO members received a survey requesting feedback on the use of client‑specific orders for all patients undergoing aesthetic treatments requiring authorized prescriber oversight. Across the province, nurses and NPs are expressing a shared concern: Client‑specific orders alone will not resolve the patient‑safety issues that have been repeatedly identified in our specialty. In fact, many providers believe this approach may increase administrative burden for both RN/RPNs and NPs, while simultaneously reducing nursing autonomy—despite nurses still practicing fully within their legislated scope.
Those of us who have worked in aesthetics for 10, 15, even 20+ years know that our specialty needs tighter, clearer, and more consistent regulatory structures. This is not just in Ontario, this is a national and global issue expressed by many of my colleagues outside of Canada as well.
As a collective group of independent aesthetic nurses, we are identifying patient‑safety gaps—supported by clinical evidence—that we feel will strengthen safety, clarity, and accountability across all settings.
This is a pivotal moment for our profession. Let’s continue advocating for the standards our patients deserve and the regulatory clarity our specialty requires.
Resources:
Gaskell A & Brondstater K (2025) The need for regulated training and certification for providers entering into aesthetic medicine. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology • Volume 18 • Number 7–8 • Supplement 1
Harrison, J & Hotta T (2020) Evidence-Based Education Is Essential in Medical Aesthetics Nursing. Plastic Surgical Nursing 40(3):p 127-129
Jones, J. K., Bennett, S., Erlandsson, M., Gamborg, C., Hauser-Glitz, S., Jubert, I., Manis, H., Rusher, R., Sommereux, L., Walsh, S., Welch, K., Wiking, C., Young, C., & Partridge, J. (2018). Aesthetic medicine nurses and qualified nonmedical practitioners: Our role and requirements as aesthetic medicine adapts to worldwide changes and needs. Plastic Surgical Nursing, 38(4), 171–176.
The recent CBC story on the College of Nurses of Ontario’s new aesthetic‑practice guidelines has sparked an important conversation. First, s
