Yeah, you can definitely work your way up as you get more comfortable.
Here's my advice:
Use a screwdriver not a nail. The length and size of the nail don't matter so much as what you can see when the thing is in your nose. Use a screwdriver with a big handle.
With the nail it doesn't look impressive as long. It is only impressive while it is going in, once it's in witha nail it looks like you have a thumb tack in your nose, a screwdriver it ALWAYS looks impressive. While it's in, the audience just imagines the thing is huge!