We were lucky to catch up with Jacqueline Walker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jacqueline, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Today, I find myself reflecting on the path that led me here—a journey that started over ten years ago in the ICU, surrounded by alarms, urgency, and the constant push to save lives. For a decade, I poured my heart into caring for patients in their most critical moments. It was meaningful work, and I carry those experiences with me every single day.

But over time, something within me began to shift. I started to feel a quiet pull toward a different kind of healing—one that focuses not just on survival, but on self-worth, confidence, and the quiet, personal ways people want to feel whole again. That pull eventually led me to open a medical spa.

Leaving the ICU wasn’t easy. I questioned myself constantly—Was I walking away from something important? Would this new path still allow me to make a difference? But the more I leaned into it, the more I realized I wasn’t walking away from nursing—I was expanding what it means to be a nurse.

My goal now is to create a space where people feel seen and valued, both inside and out. Whether someone is looking to restore their skin, enhance a feature, or simply feel better in their own body, I want them to know they’re already beautiful—I’m just here to help them see it, too.

I still carry the heart of a nurse. The setting has changed, but the purpose hasn’t. It’s still about care, compassion, and connection. I’m incredibly grateful for where this journey has taken me, and I feel honored to support others in feeling more confident, more whole, and more like themselves.

Jacqueline, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

At BLOOM Medical Aesthetics & Artistry, we are passionate about enhancing natural beauty and restoring confidence through safe, science-backed treatments. Led by Dr. Jay Cooper MD & Jacqueline Walker RN with over 40 years combined of medical industry experience, our mission is to offer personalized care that helps each individual feel valued—inside and out. We provide a curated selection of advanced medical aesthetic services designed to rejuvenate, restore, and renew.

Our Services
SkinPen® Microneedling
This collagen-stimulating treatment uses tiny needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin, triggering your body’s natural healing response. It’s ideal for improving skin texture, fine lines, acne scars, and overall radiance.

Morpheus8
A powerful combination of microneedling and radiofrequency (RF) energy that remodels deep layers of the skin, Morpheus8 targets fine lines, sagging, acne scars, and overall skin laxity for a tighter, smoother appearance.

Forma
Using gentle RF technology, Forma provides non-invasive skin tightening with zero downtime. It stimulates collagen, firms the skin, and improves tone—perfect for early signs of aging.

Laser Hair Removal
Safe and effective for all skin types, our laser hair removal treatments permanently reduce unwanted hair, leaving skin smooth and maintenance-free over time.

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
IPL targets sun damage, redness, pigmentation, and uneven skin tone by using light energy to gently refresh and clarify the skin.

Dermal Fillers
Our expertly placed fillers restore lost volume, smooth fine lines, and subtly enhance facial contours—offering a refreshed, natural look without surgery.

Neuromodulators (Botox®, Dysport®, etc.)
These wrinkle-relaxing injections soften dynamic lines caused by facial expressions, such as crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines, for a more youthful, rested appearance.

PRF Gel
A next-generation regenerative treatment using Platelet-Rich Fibrin to promote healing, collagen production, and tissue repair. Great for under-eye rejuvenation and skin restoration.

Facials
We offer a range of customized medical-grade facials that deeply cleanse, exfoliate, hydrate, and nourish the skin to maintain a glowing, healthy complexion.

Sculptra®
This biostimulant injectable gradually restores facial volume by encouraging your body’s own collagen production. Ideal for subtle, long-lasting facial rejuvenation.

IV Therapy & NAD+ Therapy
Our IV nutrient drips and NAD+ therapy support energy, mental clarity, cellular repair, and overall wellness from the inside out—ideal for boosting vitality and optimizing health.

At BLOOM, we believe beauty begins with self-worth. Every service we offer is designed not just to enhance appearances, but to uplift confidence. We take a holistic, patient-centered approach and are honored to be part of your journey to looking and feeling your best.

You deserve to bloom.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

When we opened BLOOM Medical Aesthetics & Artistry, I knew I wanted it to be more than just a place for treatments—I wanted it to be a place where people felt seen, valued, and connected. Coming from a nursing background, I understood the importance of trust and relationships, so I set out to build those same foundations in the community around me.

One of the first things I did was simply get out and introduce myself. I took time to visit other small businesses in the area—local boutiques, coffee shops, fitness studios, salons—you name it. I didn’t walk in trying to promote myself or sell anything. I just wanted to meet the faces behind the businesses, support them, and start building real connections. I genuinely believe there’s room for all of us to grow, and that collaboration always beats competition.

Whenever I stopped by a local business, I’d make a purchase, share their social media posts, or leave a positive review. If I loved something, I talked about it—on my stories, with my clients, and in conversations. Slowly but surely, I started to see those relationships come full circle. Business owners began referring clients to me, and I made sure to do the same for them.

Most importantly, I focused on giving every person who walked through my doors a warm, personal experience. I followed up after appointments, took the time to explain treatments thoroughly, and always made sure people felt cared for. Over time, those small, genuine efforts turned into word-of-mouth referrals and glowing reviews.

Looking back, I’m proud that BLOOM’s reputation wasn’t built overnight or through flashy ads—it was built through kindness, consistency, and community. That’s the heart of what I do: not just helping people feel confident in their skin, but making sure they know they matter.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Before BLOOM Medical Aesthetics & Artistry ever opened its doors, Dr. Jay Cooper and I—Jacqueline Walker—worked together side-by-side in the high-pressure world of the ICU. For four years, we worked together, but somewhere in between the ventilator alarms and rapid response calls, we started dreaming about something more—something that focused on a different kind of healing. We talked often about creating a space that blended the science and safety of medicine with the art of self-confidence and self-worth. A place where people could come not because they were in crisis, but because they deserved to feel good in their own skin.

Eventually, those conversations became a vision. And that vision became BLOOM.

From the very beginning, Dr. Cooper has been the kind of business partner most people only hope for—witty, level-headed, and incredibly kind-hearted. He brings a calm presence, thoughtful insight, and just the right amount of sarcasm to keep things light (even during the stressful startup moments). And although BLOOM may have been my dream at first, he’s been nothing short of amazing at supporting its direction.

Working together again, but this time outside the ICU, has been both grounding and exciting. We still rely on the same mutual respect, teamwork, and trust that got us through critical care days—but now we channel that energy into helping our clients feel empowered, beautiful, and whole.

BLOOM isn’t just a business. It’s a continuation of our commitment to caring for others—just with a little more laughter, a little less adrenaline, and a whole lot more skincare.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bloom-artistry.com
• Instagram: @bloom.aesthetics.artistry
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bloom-medical-aesthetics-and-artistry-atascadero
• Other: https://g.page/r/CXKMy1HmSreOEAE/review

Image Credits

Photo credit: 1994 Agency