Registered nurses (RNs) have successfully completed an entry-level baccalaureate nursing education program and met
BCCNM licensing requirements.
RNs provide comprehensive nursing care across the lifespan and in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, community health, primary care, mental health, and long-term care. They assess, plan, provide, and evaluate nursing care, integrating health promotion, illness prevention, and relational practice within BCCNM nursing standards.
RNs practise both autonomously and in collaboration with other health-care team members and often take a coordinating role within care teams to support safe, continuous, and person-centred care.
Employed student nurse (ESN)
Students enrolled in a BCCNM recognized entry-level baccalaureate nursing education program who are in good standing may be eligible to apply for licensing as an employed student nurse (ESN).
The ESN licence supports the transition from nursing education into practice. ESNs carry out nursing activities for which they have acquired the competence to safely perform as part of their entry-level nursing program, under the supervision of a nurse. This licensing pathway allows nursing students to build on and apply their knowledge and skills, to consolidate their learning while continuing to develop their knowledge, skills, and clinical judgment in real practice environments.
Licensed graduate nurse (LGN)
Licensed graduate nurses (LGNs) are a class of nurses granted LGN licensing prior to Oct. 1, 1990. This is a legacy licensee group and is no longer open for new applicants.
Certified registered nurse (RN-C)
Registered nurses who successfully complete a BCCNM-recognized certification program may apply for RN-C licensing.
RN-Cs have advanced knowledge and skills in a specific area of expanded nursing practice, as designated by BCCNM. This expanded scope allows RN-Cs to perform many nursing activities autonomously, including the diagnosis and treatment of select diseases and disorders guided by the applicable Certified Practice Decision Support Tools and BCCNM practice and ethics standards.
Certification enables RNs to respond more directly to client needs within defined areas of practice, improving access to timely and effective care. The current list of BCCNM-designated certification programs is available on our website.