Overview
Pediatric emergency nursing is dedicated to the health and care of young people, ranging from babies to teenagers. Children, as patients, have unique healthcare needs that require specialized knowledge and expertise in their growth, illness, and injury.
About the program
The BCIT Pediatric Emergency Nursing Specialty program is the only one of its kind in Canada. We educate students from around the world, and our certificate is recognized at every Canadian hospital and university. Our program gives you the skills employers seek.
- Part-time, advanced certificate program that takes an average of 2.5 years to complete
- Distance and online learning gives you flexibility to learn at your own pace
- Two clinical experiences that can be completed in pediatric practice areas in your community or province
Our program prepares you for a career in pediatric emergency nursing. Visit Program Details for more information about our program design.
Who it’s for
This program is for individuals who:
- Are current practicing, registered nurses (RNs) wanting an advanced pediatric emergency nursing certification, or to complete their specialty Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in specialty nursing
- Enjoy working directly with children and their families
- Have strong interpersonal and creative thinking skills, especially when communicating with young people
- Pediatric emergency nurses must also have excellent communication skills so they can provide a safe and supportive environment for young patients and their families
This specialty nursing program does not require relevant work experience. See Entrance Requirements to learn more about entry requirements.
Your work experience matters
At BCIT, we value your work experience. If you’ve been working as a pediatric emergency nurse, take advantage of our Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) process and fast track your advanced certification education.
What grads can do
Our grads are in demand. See Graduating and Jobs to learn more about career opportunities in pediatric emergency nursing.
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
Note: In alignment with public health orders, this program requires that students be vaccinated for a number of communicable diseases – including COVID-19.
Entrance requirements
The following are requirements for program entry into Specialty Nursing certificate and degree courses. Enforcement or waiving of any or all entry requirements is at the discretion of the program head.
If you have any questions about your experience or qualifications, please contact the program head to arrange program advising.
English Language Proficiency
Specialty Nursing courses are taught in the English language and require adequate English skills. To review BCIT’s requirements on English Language proficiency, please visit BCIT’s Admission and Registration page on English Requirements.
Work Experience
RNs or undergraduate students currently registered in an accredited RN or BSN program may start their Specialty Nursing Certificate by taking entry level theory courses. Applicants to the more advanced Specialty Nursing Certificate courses may require a minimum of 6 months to 1 year of relevant work experience in an acute care setting and a resume of work experience may be required to progress in the program. If you have questions about whether your work experience qualifies, please contact the program head.
If you are a long term or residential care nurse or an RN lacking current (within the last 2 years) acute care experience, Kwantlen College offers a Competency Assessment and Enhancement for Nurses course that provides a refresher in acute care principles.
This assessment involves an individual self assessment, multiple choice exam and practice simulation. This course may be required for admission in the Specialty Nursing programs. For more information on Kwantlen's offering please visit:
Once you have been assessed, you may be required to complete a tailored curriculum designed to meet BCIT's need for familiarity with acute care principles. This curriculum may include some of the following courses:
Clinical requirements
Note: Effective immediately, all health care workers who come into contact with patients at publicly-funded health care facilities or in the community, including at long-term-care facilities, will have to get the influenza vaccine or wear a mask during flu season. This policy affects all students who will be entering a clinical setting.
As such, you will be required to provide proof of your immunization or agree to wear a mask at all times prior to being placed in your clinical studies.
Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification
All students participating in clinical courses must have current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Level C or Level Health Care Provider (HCP). The original certificate must be presented upon application to the clinical courses.
BCCNP Registration
As well as providing this information at the time of admission, BCIT requires students to provide proof of BCCNP membership (or Canadian provincial equivalent) for each clinical course they enroll in. Without proper provincial registration, you will not be permitted to continue in the course.
Face Respirator Fit Testing
A face piece respiratory fit test is required before students are permitted to enter the clinical practicum. Upon successful completion of the fit test, the original certificate must be presented to the program and annual re-fitting is required. Students are expected to carry their certificate with them at all times during their practicum.
Respirator fit testing with a N95 respirator (1860, 1860s or 1870) is required and must be performed in accordance with CSA Standard CAN/CSA-Z94.4-02. Fit testing must also include inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of protective equipment. Students will be given specific instructions in preparation for their fit testing by the provider they choose.
Recommended for success
Prior experience with children and families is an asset. This experience takes a variety of forms, including: a senior preceptorship in nursing school in a pediatric, perinatal or neonatal area; volunteer work with childbearing families; and employment in a pediatric, perinatal or neonatal area.
If you are considering pediatric emergency nursing and have not had previous exposure to the profession, you can benefit from a day spent in a hospital pediatric emergency unit, and from talking to pediatric emergency nurses about the specialty and their practice.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid work permit in Canada that will be valid for the duration of clinical training.
Study permit: International applicants accepted into this program are not eligible for a study permit.
Program declaration
Please contact the program assistant to declare this program.
Scheduled Intakes
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
If you are an experienced pediatric emergency nurse with more than three years of full time nursing experience in the emergency department, then PLAR may be for you. PLAR is a process intended to provide students with an opportunity to receive credit for both credit-based and non-credit-based prior learning that has been acquired in a variety of ways, including work experience.
For additional information on PLAR and to order a PLAR manual, which explains the options in detail and guides you through the process, contact the program head.
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Costs & Supplies
Face respirator fit testing – approx $25 per year; annual re-fitting required.
Total costs for materials within the Pediatric Emergency Specialty Nursing program is approximately $500.
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information on domestic and international tuitions.
Books & supplies
Textbook costs vary from course to course. Please check the BCIT Bookstore for the most current prices.
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Courses
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Required Courses: (24.0 credits) | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
NSCC 7150 | Dysrhythmia Interpretation and Management | 2.0 | |
NSER 7110 | Emergency Nursing Theory 1 | 4.0 | |
NSER 7610 | Pediatric Emergency Nursing Theory 1 | 4.0 | |
NSER 7620 | Pediatric Emergency Nursing Theory 2 | 4.0 | |
NSER 7630 | Pediatric Emergency Clinical | 5.0 | |
NSER 7640 | Pediatric Emergency Nursing Theory 3 | 4.0 | |
NSER 7650 | Pediatric Advanced Life Support | 1.0 | |
Total Credits: | 24.0 |
Check current availability of courses for this program.
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
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Program Details
Program length
The length of the program is variable and depends on your pace of study. The maximum time to complete this program is seven years.
Program delivery
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
Program location
Courses are offered through online learning.- Go back Courses
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Graduating & Jobs
Our grads are ready
The BCIT Pediatric Emergency Nursing Specialty allows you to work anywhere in the world. Use our program to start your career in pediatric emergency nursing or apply your new skills in your existing workplace.
Career opportunities
Pediatric registered nurses combine technical nursing expertise with strong communication skills focused on youth. They primarily work in dedicated pediatric units in hospitals or community health centers but can also work in doctors’ offices and schools.
Positions start at approximately $32 per hour with opportunities available internationally. A typical day can involve:
- Physical assessments
- Educating families on care and prevention
- Designing home care plans for children with special needs
- Caring for children with chronic illness or injury
- Creating a safe environment for young patients
- Working closely with physicians on an on-going basis
Health Match BC
Health Match BC is a new service that helps recent specialty nursing graduates find work within BC. Funded by the provincial government, Health Match BC prioritizes the hiring of BC nursing graduates. For more information, download the Health Match BC [PDF].
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
Professional associations
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) has the mission of advancing the practice and profession of nursing to improve health outcomes and strengthen Canada’s publicly funded, not-for-profit health system. Toward this end, it promotes high standards of practice, education, research, and administration. The CNA is the national and global professional voice of Canadian nursing, representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed and registered practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and retired nurses across all provinces and territories.
Emergency Nurses Association of BC (ENABC)
ENABC is the professional organization for emergency nursing in BC. ENABC's main goal is to provide standards for emergency nursing care, offer a forum in which emergency nurses can exchange ideas, promote the specialized education of emergency nurses, and support community relations. ENABC has an affiliation with the National Emergency Nurses Association (NENA).
National Emergency Nurses Association (NENA)
NENA represents emergency nurses across Canada. The association works closely with the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) to improve quality of care in Canada's emergency settings. If you register with ENABC you are a member of NENA.
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- Next up Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Soraida Ramazzini, RN, BSN
Program Head
sramazzini@bcit.ca
604-451-6979
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 6979
Jackie Sousa
Program Assistant
jackie_sousa@bcit.ca
604-451-7094
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 7094
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Contact Us
Soraida Ramazzini, RN, BSN
Program Head
sramazzini@bcit.ca
604-451-6979
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 6979
Jackie Sousa
Program Assistant
jackie_sousa@bcit.ca
604-451-7094
Toll-free: 800-663-6542 x 7094
Questions or comments?
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