Meet Geneva, owner of Rise Aesthetics! She is one of the talented ladies at Urban Colorz Salon that helps bring out confidence in women!
Q. Tell us about your journey. Why did you decide to become a nurse?
My dad was a firefighter/paramedic and growing up I spent hours listening to his scanner with 911 dispatchers announcing emergencies for crews to respond to. The desire to help people in need grew from there and after a brief attempt at being a professional snowboarder (haha), I enrolled in college and was accepted into the nursing program at Mt. Hood Community College where I earned my Associate Degree in Nursing. I then went on to earn my Bachelor Degree in Nursing from Oregon Health and Science University and am currently enrolled at United States University where I will earn my Master Degree in Nursing and become a nurse practitioner.
Q. What made you transition towards cosmetic Injections and aesthetic treatments?
My nursing career began in primary care which was very boring so to spice things up a bit I transitioned into psychiatric nursing and was a mental health nurse at the Oregon State Hospital. Eventually I decided a job closer to home would be a better fit and I was hired on at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center as a surgical specialties nurse. While working as a surgical specialties nurse I became friends with a surgeon who would tell me stories about an aesthetic nurse that had worked in one of his clinics. He said I reminded him of her and that I should look into aesthetics because he thought I’d be good at it. Well, after a few years of his encouragement I finally enrolled in a basic injectables course at Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy. I instantly fell in love with the world of injectables. Since earning my certificate in basic injectables, I have taken numerous advanced injectable courses as well as earning certificates in microneedling, PRP, and PDO threads. I also have training in body contouring, medical grade chemical peels, and medical grade skincare.
Q.What kind of services do you offer & What is your favorite to do?
I offer medical aesthetic injectables and treatments, most of which can only be performed by a medical professional with licenses such as registered nurse or doctor.
It’s so hard to choose just one service as my favorite because they are all so beneficial and can be completely life changing for people. My top two would probably be Botox and lip filler.
Q. Was it challenging getting started?
Starting something new always has its challenges. Luckily, I have a great support system behind me who is constantly cheering me on, encouraging me to keep going, and helping when and where they can. Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy was also a fantastic resource and even though I completed their basic course over three years ago, they are still available to answer questions and help me out if I need anything.
Q. What advice do you have for other nurses who want to start their own career in Aesthetics?
Never give up! Starting a business and leaving traditional nursing can be scary but let me tell you, all the hard work is so worth it! For any nurse wanting to get into aesthetics, I would highly recommend attending Pacific Northwest Aesthetics Academy. They give you all the training and information you need to get started and are there to help you along the way. If starting your own business isn’t quite what you want to do right away, then find a plastic surgeon or other aesthetic practice to work at, gain experience, and find out if it’s the right fit for you. There are endless opportunities in healthcare and the medical field, this one just happens to be the most fun!