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The cosmetic surgery field offers patients a wide variety of surgical and noninvasive options guaranteed to improve a patient's self-esteem. Maybe it's a shot of Botox to reduce the appearance of crow's feet or a laser resurfacing treatment designed to minimize sun damage and wrinkles.

"We offer a wide variety of services to help people who want to look more refreshed, or to put their best foot forward in this competitive job market," Covington said.

To work in the cosmetic surgery field, nurses are required to have a critical care and operating room background, and to be ACLS certified.

In addition to working in a medical office, nurses often are asked to take their expertise on the road. Covington and other nurses join physicians from the Napa Valley Plastic Surgery Associates to travel to underdeveloped countries each year, where they spend several weeks participating in cleft palate restoration. Their work is done on a volunteer basis through international relief organizations such as Interplast or Rotaplast.

"It's an honor to be able to take our skills to developing nations and assist children who don't have access to health care," Covington said.

A dose of self-esteem

Susan Erno, RN, a cosmetic surgery nurse at Parrish Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Center in Medford, Ore., said it is especially fulfilling to work with patients whose facial features have caused them years of emotional pain.

"We see patients who are born with a nose that has caused them to be ridiculed, or a chin they have always despised," she said. "Just seeing how happy and self-confident they are after the surgery is very rewarding."

Erno works with a variety of patients, including men, women and children of all ages. She meets with patients for an initial consultation where she answers questions and uses computer imagery to offer them a glimpse of how they will look after surgery.

"I believe it's important to discuss realistic expectations with each patient prior to surgery," Erno said.

Among the most popular procedures performed by Earl Parrish, MD, and his staff are face-lifts, breast augmentation and liposuction.

"Many of our patients are mothers seeking to regain their pre-baby bodies through a breast lift, or women who work in demanding careers who want their eyes done to reduce the puffiness that comes with aging," Erno said. Although she's worked in the cosmetic surgery field for the past eight years, Erno continues to be amazed at the speed at which cosmetic procedures are being introduced and altered.

"Many new procedures are being introduced that are less invasive and offer patients a quicker recovery time," she said. "Cosmetic surgery is a field that is constantly changing and each day offers a new learning experience."