Employed student psychiatric nurse registration

​Eligibility

To be eligible for employed student psychiatric nurse (ESPN) registration, applicants must: 

• ​Be enrolled in a BCCNM-recognized entry-level psychiatric nursing education program (or equivalent). 
  
• Meet good character and fitness to practice requirements
• Have an offer of employment. 
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How to apply

1. Create a BCCNM account

• ​​​Create a BCCNM account​ if you don't have one already.
• Once your account is created, you will recieve an email with a link to verify your identity.

You can create a BCCNM account before you have an offer of employment.

2. Apply for employed student psychiatric nurse registration

When you’re ready, sign into your BCCNM account and complete the application for ESPN registration. You’ll be asked to provide:

• Notarized copies of two pieces of identification
  
• A completed Confirmation of Enrolment and Employment Form
• Consent to a criminal record​s check​
• Payment of the ESPN appli​cation fee​.

Once your application is complete, BCCNM Registration will do an initial review of your application and follow up with you if more documentation or information is required.

3. Pay your registration fees

If your application is approved, you will receive an email containing instructions detailing how to pay for your registrati​on fee and professional lia​bility protection.

4. Confirm registration before practising 

When your ESPN registration is granted, you will be sent an email confirming your registration and status effective date once the payment has been processed.  You must not practise before your status effective date. After your effective date, you will appear in BCCNM’s online directory.

Practising as an employed student psychiatric nurse

Registration expiry and reapplication

ESPN registration expires on March 31 at 11:59 pm annually and it cannot be renewed. If you need ESPN registration after March 31, you will need to reapply before your registration expires by following the steps above.

Maintaining ESPN registration

Enrollment in an approved psychiatric nursing program and confirmed employment is required for ESPN registration. You must contact BCCNM Registration within seven days if: 

• You leave your education program before you complete the requirements.
• You complete your education program. 
  
• Your employment with the employer listed on your Confirmation of Enrolment and Employment form ends.​

Practice responsibilities

​Employed student psychiatric nurses are responsible and accountable for their practice at all times. We strongly recommend reviewing the following information specific to ESPNs. All other BCCNM Standards and Bylaws also apply to ESPNs, even if the documents refer to registered psychiatric nurses: 

• ​Employed Student Registrant Pra​ctice Standard​
• Regulatory Supervision of Students P​ractice Standard
• Use of Title Practice St​andard​​
  

Professional liability protection

Professional liability protection is a requirement for student nurses. Learn more about the liability protection, legal advice and other services available to you as a beneficiary of CNPS professional liability prote​ction​. 

Resources to support your practice

• Learning resources for employed stu​dent registrants​
• BCCNM Standard​s Support​​​

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for employed student psychiatric nurse registration before I have a job offer?

Yes. Once you submit an online application you'll have six months to find employment and have your employer complete the Confirmation of Enrolment and Employment Form (Form 10.1). If you do not complete the application process within six months, your application will expire and you will need to reapply.

I need a BCCNM ID number for a job fair/interview. What do I do?

Create a BCCNM account. Once you create an account, a BCCNM ID number will be assigned to you. You can submit your ESPN application later.

How long does the application process take?

​It typically takes 7-10 days to process your application and confirm you are eligible for ESPN registration once you have submitted all the required information and documents. You cannot practice as an ESPN until registration has been granted, so please ensure you time your application so that it can be processed before your start date.

What if my employment start or end date changes, or the offer of employment is withdrawn? 

If this happens after you have submitted the Confirmation of Enrolment and Employment Form (Form 10.1), you must contact BCCNM Registration at register@bccnm.ca.​
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