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.
Working as an ESN is a great way to gain experience in different areas, and opportunities are open to student nurses in many BCCH units and services. Qualifications are listed here. Students often have questions about their specific situations, with the most common answers being:
- ESNs may have classes through summer months, and can move to casual hours, scheduled around their classes.
- Individuals can participate in both the ESN and preceptor programs, which can be in the same area/unit or in different areas/units.
- Individuals who have done student rotations at facilities other than BCCH are welcome to apply for the ESN program at BCCH.
Nursing students complete a final clinical practicum – a preceptorship – as part of their graduation requirement. Students are supported by a preceptor or a clinical instructor while completing this final hands-on training before graduating. Student nurses are welcome and encouraged to apply for their preceptorship at BCCH. BCCH has many specialized programs, which leads students to ask questions about qualifying; common answers include:
- The preceptorship program is open to application by all student nurses, regardless if BCIT Theory 1 & 2 courses have been completed.
- BCCH preceptorships are available for individuals who have completed their clinical placements at any recognized health care facility, they do not need to have had a placement at BCCH.
The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) hires new nursing team members three times a year to join the Advanced Pediatric Critical Care Specialty Training cohort. This employer-paid, 24-month program offered through BCIT will further enhance critical care nursing skills and support RNs professional growth in this specialized career pathway. In addition, relocation assistance or work visa support may be available for successful candidates.
