
PHSA’s Employed Student Nurse (ESN) program provides educational opportunities for nursing and psychiatric nursing students to work in a clinical setting for 200 to 400 hours of hands-on experience with pay. These hours will help consolidate theory and skills you have learned in your nursing programs, participate as a valued team member, and learn about different practice environments and interdisciplinary teams. In many cases, you can apply your earned seniority toward your first RN/RPN job with us.
This hands-on experience will prepare you for a career specializing in neonatal, perinatal, pediatrics, child & youth mental health, adult mental health, or oncology nursing. You may also 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, BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services, or BC Cancer as part of your fourth year. For details on areas/locations that are accepting ESNs within these programs, see below!
- Have successfully completed your medical/surgical instructor-led rotation or relevant rotation in your program of choice
- Are a student member of the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) or are eligible for student membership
- Have current certification in CPR
- Meet the BC Children's Hospital, BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre, BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, or BC Cancer recruitment screening requirements; please see the program specific application forms for details on program requirements