Over the past decade, aesthetics in the UK has experienced significant changes, driven by technological advancements, shifting consumer demands and regulatory changes. The British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN) has played a vital role in supporting nurses throughout this period of evolution.
As non-surgical treatments have grown in popularity, the BACN has been working to raise standards within the sector by offering training and support to its members.
The BACN was established to provide a professional network and support system for nurses working in the aesthetics sector. Since then, it has grown to become one of the largest and most respected associations for aesthetic nurses in the UK. The association offers a range of initiatives and educational resources to help its members stay up to date with the latest developments in the field.
One of the key ways in which the BACN has supported nurses over the past decade has been by providing a forum for professional development and networking. The association hosts an annual conference, which brings together nurses and other aesthetic professionals from across the UK to share knowledge and expertise. This event provides an opportunity for attendees to learn about new treatments and techniques, as well as to connect with other professionals in the field.
We have just held our second Symposium in London which was fully booked with 150 delegates. It was held at the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons. The day was packed with a variety of advanced learning and educational content including anatomy with Dr Lee Walker, a presentation on exploring the use of vitamins by Sharon King, a panel debate on aspiration led by Mel Recchia, and a session about polynucleotides with Dr Uche. Other talks included treating skin of colour, incorporating devices within a clinic, managing complications with the use of ultrasound and identifying emerging trends and diversity in the wellness arena. One of the highlights of the day was having three of the original members of the BACN on the stage. Lorna Bowes did an excellent job of chairing the full day. Constance Campion spoke passionately about medical aesthetics nursing, sharing her thoughts on how nurses need to stay focused on their level of patient care, and to follow the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code as well as the BACN professional competencies and standards of practice.
We were honoured to hear Liz Bardolph give a truly inspirational talk as she retires from aesthetic nursing. Liz was a Co-founder and President of the BACN back in 2009. It was wonderful to listen to her career journey into medical aesthetics, as she was one of the original members of the BACN and fondly remembers the early formation.
She recalls ‘following restructuring of the RCN, the BACN was formed by a small group of like-minded medical aesthetic nurses in a small room in Harley Street, on the back of an envelope. So enthusiastic were we, that three or four us committed ourselves to a £10,000 deposit for the RCP in order to hold our first conference. None of us had a bean to our names! We were rescued by sponsorship from a few generous companies. We were so grateful, and those ties have remained. We had three main aims: to ensure nurses were properly trained, set standards; to remember the competencies; and to promote patient safety. Even in the early days, patients were at risk from these unregulated treatments and our first conference on complications went down a storm’. Liz developed an interest in the legal aspects of clinical practice; she has a Master's degree in medical law and ethics, and for many years has been an accredited Civil Expert Witness. Liz shared her hopes for regulation in the future and left us all feeling motivated. She was presented with some beautiful flowers from the BACN and there were more than a few teary eyes in the audience for this incredible nurse.
In addition to these, the BACN offers a range of other training and educational opportunities for its members. The association also provides access to a range of online resources, including webinars supported by the Board, regional Leads and a vibrant team at HQ.
As the aesthetics sector in the UK continues to evolve, the role of the BACN in supporting nurses will remain crucial. By providing education and training, as well as a platform for networking and professional development, the association helps to ensure that nurses working in the field can provide safe and effective treatments to their patients. As such, the BACN will continue to be an important resource for nurses working in aesthetics in the years to come.
The BACN Nurse Prescribing Scheme, known as V300, is a program that supports registered nurses in obtaining their prescribing qualification. The scheme is designed to provide nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely prescribe and administer medication within the aesthetics sector.
The BACN Nurse Prescribing Scheme is an important initiative for the aesthetics sector, as it helps to ensure that nurses can provide a full range of treatments to their patients.
In addition to the V300 program, the BACN also offers access and support to a Teaching and Assessing qualification, which is designed to support nurses in delivering high-quality education and training to their peers. The assessor programme for aesthetic nurses working with MAP IQ and the VCTC awarding body has now launched. The first group of BACN members are currently studying towards this qualification. This assessor programme has been designed to be specifically for aesthetics and to assess at level 7. The programme was developed by two experienced BACN nurses, Jane La Ferla and Aine Larkin.
This qualification is particularly helpful for nurses who are responsible for training new staff or for delivering continuing education to established practitioners.
Sharon Bennett-BACN Chair said,
‘This project enables the BACN to develop its own nurses as assessors which we can then use internally and also gives our members a new skill and qualification they can use to benefit this specialist area as a whole.’
In conclusion, the BACN has played a vital role in supporting the aesthetics sector in the UK over the past decade. Through initiatives such as the Nurse Prescribing Scheme and the Teaching and Assessing qualification, the association has helped to raise standards within the field and ensure that practitioners are able to provide safe and effective treatments to their patients.
For my part I am surrounded by like-minded nurses who have their patients at the heart of their practise.
Here are quotes from some of our members:
‘Working in the NHS you're part of a huge organisation that not only provides safe, evidence based practice, but a community of peers whom you look up to and learn from. Working privately in your clinic, is different. So, for me being a part of BACN, is my equivalent of NHS. You are provided with standards to uphold, peers to look up to and support each other with shared learning. The members share the same goal…. Best practice and patient safety.’
-Ash Henry
‘As a BACN regional leader, I aim to facilitate an open forum where we can support, benchmark, share best practices, and learn from each other. Education builds confidence and ability, helping to raise standards and create a safer sector. Being able to offer my team unconditional support is extremely important, as I know how important that is to my personal development as an aesthetic practitioner.’
-Michelle Mclean
‘It was only when I became a BACN member that I felt like a practicing aesthetic professional.’
-Tanya Khan
‘Becoming a member of BACN was the pinnacle of many years of hard work in establishing myself as an aesthetic nurse. The support I received from the other members has been second to none. I love being a member of the BACN as I feel my values are reflected in their principles. I'm even more honoured now that I am a regional lead as I can offer the same support to nurses new to the aesthetic sector.’
-Karen Hunter
‘If it wasn't for the BACN I would have given up very quickly. I have had mentorship, a bursery for the V300 and a network of professionals that want what I want – standards.’
-Laura Arena
‘I would just like to say, the BACN is every nurse's staff room. Safe space to relax and let off steam or build knowledge.’
-Karen Burgess
‘I am very thankful to be a part of the BACN. They stand for everything the sector needs to be. Raising standards, and ethics in our sector. Not only that, but the support also I've had from the organisation, is invaluable.’
-Carla Jones
I would like to dedicate this article to our inspirational nurse, Liz Bardolph. From all the members of the BACN, we wish her all the very best in her next venture… she is remarkable and memorable. We thank Liz for her amazing contribution in our ever-changing aesthetic sector.
Contributors of this article include Rachel Godard, Liz Bardolph and BACN members.