Nurse practitioners (NPs) are broadening their reach into other aspects of medicine beyond primary care practices, and one of the specialties benefiting from this trend is dermatology.

There’s a measurable increase in clinicians working in dermatology, driven by overall NP workforce growth, expanded practice authority in many states, and demand pressures in dermatology and plastic surgery outpatient clinics and surgical centers, said Jennifer Adamski, DNP, ACNP-BC, critical care NP, assistant dean of professional programs, director of MSN/APRN education & post graduate flight education, and associate professor at Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing in Cleveland. She is also immediate past president, American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Adamski noted that published specialty reporting and workforce surveys document growth in the NP dermatology cohort, and industry commentary emphasizes expanding NP and physician assistant roles in dermatology and plastics practices.

“In the past 3-5 years, I and many colleagues have seen more (acute care nurse practitioners) and other (advance practice nurses) advertise dermatology-focused training, pursue postgraduate dermatology fellowships, and be recruited into dermatology and cosmetic/plastic surgery clinics, especially in suburban and urban markets where access to dermatologists is limited,” Adamski said.

The growth is reinforced by clinic job listings, dermatology-specific postgraduate offerings, and specialty conferences that increasingly include NP-targeted tracks, she said.

To that point, other medical professionals are seeing an uptick.

“As a clinic director, I definitely see more interest in Dermatology among advanced practice providers, to include (certified physician assistant) and NPs,” said Whitney A. High, MD, JD, professor of dermatology and pathology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Aurora, Colorado. “We always have a large number of applicants for our clinical positions.”

What’s Driving the Uptick

There are multiple converging trends driving NP interest in dermatology, Adamski said. These include:

• Large and rapidly growing consumer demand for dermatologic and aesthetic services
• New clinical issues such as rapid weight loss from GLP-1 therapies that create aesthetic or skin laxity concern
• Strong social media influence normalizing and promoting cosmetic procedures to broader demographics: “GLP-1 agents (semaglutide, tirzepatide, others) produce substantial, sometimes rapid weight loss that clinicians and patients increasingly report causes facial volume change and skin laxity — creating demand for aesthetic consultations and procedures to address these sequelae,” said Adamski. “Recent reviews in aesthetic medicine discuss how GLP-1-related body changes are creating new practice needs.”

These drivers offer growing opportunities for NPs.

“From an NP viewpoint, these demand signals translate into job openings and practice models that include injectables, lasers, minor surgical procedures, and multidisciplinary aesthetic care, all roles NPs are well positioned to fill with appropriate training and oversight,” said Adamski.

What Opportunities Do NPs Find in Dermatology?

Acute care NPs and other NPs entering dermatology commonly pursue roles in practices, per Adamski.

• Medical dermatology clinics: Evaluation and management of inflammatory skin disease (eczema or psoriasis), acne, complex wound or ulcer care, and skin cancer surveillance
• Aesthetic or cosmetic practice: Administering injectables (neuromodulators or dermal fillers), laser treatments, chemical peels, and procedural assistance
• Surgical dermatology support or first assist: Supporting dermatologic and plastic surgical procedures (for NPs with appropriate perioperative or first-assist training and institutional privileging). Many NPs pursue RNFA/APRN-RNFA training, depending on the state and NP specialty, if they anticipate operating room (OR) first-assist responsibilities, said Adamski. “It’s important to audit your state’s scope of practice and facility privileging for injectables and OR first-assist roles before transitioning. Contact your board of nursing and employer credentialing office,” suggested Adamski.
• Practice leadership and care coordination: Leading clinic panels, supervising clinical staff, patient education programs, and quality initiatives such as improving access and triage protocols
• Education and tele-dermatology: Triage and telehealth consultations to improve access in underserved areas

The benefits are evident in the profession.

“NPs tend to be attracted to dermatology because it allows them to use procedural skills and clinical judgment in ambulatory settings, often with more predictable schedules and an opportunity to blend medical and aesthetic practice,” Adamski said.

What Does Working in Dermatology Offer NPs?

Procedural skill use and scope expansion: “Many dermatology roles permit hands-on procedures, which can be professionally satisfying after years of acute care practice,” said Adamski. With appropriate training, NPs can perform or assist in diverse procedures and deliver injectables, she said. It’s important to understand that state-specific regulations for injectables and supervision apply, said Adamski.

Work-life balance and clinic-based schedules: Outpatient dermatology may offer predictable hours more than inpatient acute care, which can be attractive for NPs seeking a more set schedule. “I think these issues allow them a better work-life balance than they would find in many community settings,” said High at the University of Colorado.

Competitive compensation and varied income models: Aesthetic procedures and cosmetic practice can have different compensation structures (productivity or bonuses) compared with salaried inpatient roles, said Adamski.

Professional growth: NPs can gain opportunities for procedural credentialing, business involvement, education, and practice leadership. “These benefits align with many NPs’ desires for skills utilization, autonomy, and career diversification,” added Adamski.

Adamski and High reported having no disclosures.