Nurses are key

Nurses are an integral part of the team of health care professionals who work collaboratively to deliver health services through our inpatient, ambulatory care and outreach programs to patients from across B.C.

Clinical Units

Antepartum
Pregnant women from across B.C. are admitted into the 15 bed High Risk Antepartum Care Unit with problems related to complications in pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, premature labour and heart disease. The goal of this program is to provide the necessary care during the antepartum phase that will result in a healthy outcome for mom and babe. The BC Women's Antepartum Home Care service provides specialized care for women with pregnancy complications suitable for monitoring or treatment at home. 

Birthing
The delivery suite rooms provide a relaxing and private place for women and their family to labour and give birth. 

Postpartum
The postpartum care program provides comprehensive supportive care to approximately 7000 mothers and newborns per year in a woman and family centred environment. As part of a commitment to being Baby Friendly, healthy newborns are cared for in the same room as their mothers. Postpartum care is provided primarily on 3 units at BCW, where nurses place an emphasis on education around newborn care, normal postpartum changes in mother, and breastfeeding. The hospital liaison nurse from the Healthy Beginnings program ensures information is transmitted to the mother’s local health department office to support a community health nurse visit with the new family at home.

Fir Square 
Fir Square is an exemplary and comprehensive antenatal and postpartum program that meets the needs of women with problematic substance use. Through liaison activities with community groups, and using a harm reduction approach, the program provides more consolidated support for these pregnant women. Fir is an 11 bed unit where women room in with their babies. Nursery care is also provided here if needed. The Fir Square program provides additional focused resources such as addictions support and an infant development program. The goal of the program is to increase the number of mothers who are working to keep their babies rather than having the child placed with children's aid.

Newborn Care Program
This one-of-a-kind Newborn Care Program at BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre, in partnership with BC Children’s Hospital, serves as the main tertiary nursery in the province and is the only nursery to provide quaternary specialty services to assist critically ill premature and term newborns for the entire province of British Columbia. With over 150 nurses, 2 nurseries and 60+ beds, this Level III and ll Program has an internal interdisciplinary structure that has been designed to address "best & evidence-based practice" in support of quality care for infants and to meet ongoing challenges in a very family-centered environment. As a leader in neonatal care, we offer unique specialty services such as a joint neonatal/pediatric ECLS (Extra Corporeal Life Support) Program, a Neonatal Outpatient Follow-Up Clinic and extensive educational opportunities to practice nursing in a positive and professional environment. Not only will you have the opportunity to work with the latest advancements in technology, you will work as a key member of a complex interdisciplinary team, demanding the best you have to offer.

Specialized Women’s Health
BC Women's Hospital department of Specialized Women's Health is unique in Canada for it's broad collection of Programs. 

Diagnostic/Ambulatory Program
This program encompasses the Centre for Prenatal Diagnosis and Treatment (CPDT) and the Maternity Outpatient Clinics. With 25,000 visits each year, the CPDT multi-disciplinary team provides service, education and research in Diagnostic Ultrasound, Fetal Assessment and Prenatal Procedures. In addition, the Maternity Outpatient Clinics have more than 15,000 outpatient visits annually in areas of diabetes, midwifery, high-risk nutrition, perinatology, breastfeeding, autologous blood donation, anaesthesia, special client clinic and multiple medical consultation services.

Medical Genetics
Please see the Medical Genetics page.

Professional Development

We believe that excellence in practice is grounded in knowledge and skill. Our renowned preceptor program provides the foundation for nursing colleagues new to the profession or to this area of specialty practice. It helps them develop and hone the knowledge and skills required to effectively care for our patients who need our specialized and tertiary services.

Having acquired a strong foundation, our nurses are actively encouraged and supported to continue to build their knowledge and skill. A myriad of on-site professional development programs aimed at developing clinical, educational and leadership skills support them to be life-long learners. Together these programs offer nurses the opportunity to sustain their passion for nursing, maintain their ability to offer the excellent care for which our organization is known and to achieve their personal professional goals. 
PHSA Education On-line Calendar