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Employed Student Nurse Program

The application window for PHSA's 2023 ESN intake will reopen from April 10 - April 21, 2023 for BC Children's Hospital only, with start dates on May 25 and July 27. 

Have you always dreamed of a career specializing in pediatrics, child & youth mental health, perinatal, or oncology nursing? Work and learn with us and apply to be part of the Employed Student Nurse Program at BC Children's Hospital, BC Women's Hospital, or BC Cancer! 

PHSA is committed to career pathways and investing in its people. As an Employed Student Nurse working at BC Children's HospitalBC Women's Hospital, or BC Cancer in specialized pediatric, child and youth mental health, perinatal, or oncology care settings, you will consolidate your nursing skills and gain valuable practice working as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team. 

This hands-on experience will prepare you for a career in either pediatric, child and youth mental health, perinatal, or oncology nursing, and you may be able to use this experience as a stepping stone to acquiring a preceptorship at BC Children's Hospital, BC Women's Hospital & Health Centre, or BC Cancer as part of your fourth year.

Our Employed Student Nurse (ESN) program provides a nursing employment opportunity to work in a clinical setting from 250 to 400 hours of hands-on experience with pay. These hours will help you consolidate your theory and clinical skills, build on your nursing practice, and participate as a team member. In many cases, you can also apply your earned seniority toward your first RN/RPN job with us.  

You qualify to apply if you:


  • Are continually enrolled full-time in a recognized Registered Nursing (or Registered Psychiatric Nursing for Child & Youth Mental Health) program in British Columbia
  • Are planning to specialize in pediatrics, child and youth mental health, perinatal, or oncology nursing
  • Have successfully completed your second or third year of nursing education toward your degree in nursing
  • Have successfully completed your pediatric, mental health, perinatal, or medical/surgical instructor-led rotation
  • Are a student member of the BCCNP or are eligible for student membership
  • Have certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support; and
  • Meet the BC Children's Hospital, BC Women's Hospital, or BC Cancer recruitment screening requirements

How to apply:


 1Determine your first choice of program/specialty area

Download and complete the corresponding application form below.

 2Employed Student Nurse Clinical Reference form

Download and complete the ESN Clinical Reference form. Please have the form completed by your instructor for your placement.

 3Supporting documents

Submit all the following supporting documents along with your application form:

  • Application form
  • Cover letter
  • Resume (including all clinical placements)
  • Medical / Surgical Clinical Evaluation
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Reference (must include two references - clinical instructor reference and personal / work reference)
  • Clinical evaluation form (If you have not completed your clinical placement, please indicate expected completion date in your email. Once your clinical placement is complete, please send your evaluation form to esn@phsa.ca.)

 4PHSA Employed Student Nurse Application Checklist

Download the PHSA ESN Application Checklist to ensure all documentation is included in your application. 

 5Submit your application

E-mail your complete application including the application form and supporting documents (in one e-mail) to esn@phsa.ca using the subject line: ESN 2023 - (Last name, First Name - Program).


Additional Documentation:

Thank you for your interest in PHSA. Please note, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Due to the volume of applications received, we cannot comment on the status of individual applications.

SOURCE: Employed Student Nurse Program ( )
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