Get to know Carly Smith, NP at Skin Pharm in Nashville.

How did I get into nursing?

From the time I was probably 4 or 5 years old, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. (Well, in addition to owning a Taco Bell, because I thought, how cool would that be, mom?!)

I have always loved the feeling of taking care of someone and luckily for me, science and anatomy classes were my jam. After graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Belmont University, I began working in the hospital setting, thriving in an Intensive Care Unit setting in both the Surgical ICU and Pediatric ICU. My love for nursing and my desire to further my education led me back to Belmont to earn my Master of Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I graduated from Belmont in December 2017, passed my board examination, and have been at Skin Pharm ever since.

How did I end up at Skin Pharm?

Maegan had just opened Skin Pharm in January 2017, and while I was in graduate school, I reached out to see if I could do some of my clinical hours at Skin Pharm. THANK GOODNESS she said "yes!" My grandfather owned his own practice in medical dermatology until he retired, and I knew going into a field specializing in aesthetic dermatology was an absolute dream. It’s the perfect career with a combination of nerdy research paired with a beautiful aesthetic. After completing my clinical hours — and with the birth of Maegan’s precious son Eli coming soon — I was asked to stay on as a nurse practitioner for the Skin Pharm team. Talk about dreams coming true! I am so blessed to be a part of the Skin Pharm family.

What do I like to do when I’m not at Skin Pharm?

When I’m not at work, you can find me with my husband Cody, our precious son, Levi, and our amazing dog, Weller! (He’s part Australian Shepherd/part poodle – seriously, this breed is awesome.) We love to travel everywhere. Cody is a bit of a National Parks junkie, so our trips are normally spent somewhere between snowshoeing 10 miles one day and me hitting the spa the next.

What do I wish I’d done when I was younger to take better care of my skin?

I wish I wouldn’t have believed people when they said Cetaphil and Retin-A were going to cure my acne, because there are seriously so many other products that are amazing at creating a clear complexion that won’t make your face feel like it’s falling off – if you know, you know. Also, the tanning bed. What was I thinking?! My prom dress would have looked just fine if I was three shades lighter.

What would I like to continue to learn?

Cosmetic dermatology is an ever-evolving career path. I love the research involved in my job. Ever notice how the aesthetic scene seems to take social media by storm? There are updated research articles, new injecting methods, and unlimited amount of data that we study daily to provide you the best services possible.

At Skin Pharm, our continuing education is limitless, so we can provide you with the safest and most up-to-date practices.

What do I hope for my patients?

I hope that when you come to see me, you feel heard and understood. Whether your concerns are skin care, procedures, and/or naturally focused injectables, I’m your girl. I’ll listen to your needs, tailor treatments specifically to you and watch your self-confidence rise. I hope you leave me feeling that all of your questions were answered, needs were met and that you’re just as excited as I am for your next visit.