Becoming a Registered Psychiatric Nurse

Psychiatric Nursing Education  

Those wishing to become an RPN must complete a psychiatric nursing program from one of the eight approved psychiatric nursing education programs in Canada (or in the case of the Yukon, from a program that has been deemed equivalent to a psychiatric nursing education program in Canada). They then must pass the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination and meet the requirements of the regulatory body.

Just as with other health professional education, psychiatric nursing education programs are evolving and changing to meet the health and mental health needs of the populations they serve. 

Psychiatric nursing education prepares graduates to meet the entry-level competencies for RPNs and at a minimum includes biological or physical sciences or both, the behavioural or social sciences or both, the humanities and ethics and research. RPNs graduate from a baccalaureate program or a three year equivalent diploma in psychiatric nursing. A Master of Psychiatric Nursing is offered at Brandon University in Manitoba since 2011.

The breadth, depth and focus on mental health and addictions and advanced therapeutic relationships and communication distinguish psychiatric nursing education from other nursing programs.