RPNs in Atlantic Canada
Exploring a sustainable psychiatric nursing education pathway in Atlantic Canada.
What We’re Working On
Education Pathway
Exploring what would be required to establish a sustainable psychiatric nursing education pathway. Shaping the pathway together.
Program Approval Standards
Updating standards and indicators for the regulatory approval of of psychiatric nursing education programs in Canada.
Engagement
Working with educators, governments, regulators and other system partners to inform the work.
Why this Matters
Establishing a psychiatric nursing education pathway in Atlantic Canada will help meet the increasing demand for mental health and addiction care while strengthening the regional healthcare workforce. A regional education pathway will also help retain local students and attract learners from across Canada and internationally.
What is an RPN?
Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) are regulated nursing professionals educated through approved post-secondary psychiatric nursing education programs.
Built on a foundation of general nursing, psychiatric nursing education includes the biological, psychological and social aspects of health, together with comprehensive study and clinical learning in psychiatric nursing, mental health and addiction, and advanced therapeutic relationships and communication. RPNs must also successfully complete the national registration examination and meet registration and licensure requirements.
Where the Work is Now
Feasibility
Established
Phase 1 concluded that introducing the Registered Psychiatric Nurse profession in Atlantic Canada was feasible and identified key regulatory, education, workforce and stakeholder considerations.
Regulation
Registered Psychiatric Nurses are now regulated in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, with regulation planned for New Brunswick in 2027.
Supporting
Long-term
Sustainability
Updating standards and indicators for the regulatory approval of psychiatric nursing education programs in Canada.
Project & Engagement Updates
Spring/Summer 2026
Educator Engagement
Initial engagement with Atlantic Canadian Deans and Schools of Nursing focused on building shared understanding of the project, exploring education pathway opportunities, and identifying key considerations including delivery models, faculty capacity, clinical placements and long-term sustainability.
Fall/Winter 2026 Government Engagement
Engaging with federal, provincial and community health partners on workforce needs, policy considerations and the conditions required to support a sustainable psychiatric nursing education pathway.
Ongoing | System Partner Engagement
Engagement with regulators, employers, nursing organizations and other system partners will continue as the project progresses to build awareness, gather perspectives and inform future pathway considerations.
Ongoing | Standards & Quality
Updating standards and indicators for the regulatory approval of psychiatric nursing education programs in Canada.
Key Resources
Phase 1
Feasibility Study
Read the 2023 study that examined the feasibility of regulating and integrating Registered Psychiatric Nurses in the Maritimes.
Key Messages
(Bilingual)
Approved messages about the project, the RPN profession and psychiatric nursing education in Atlantic Canada.
Entry-level Competencies
Read the 2023 study that examined the feasibility of regulating and integrating Registered Psychiatric Nurses in the Maritimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The RPNs in Atlantic Canada project is exploring the development of a sustainable psychiatric nursing education pathway in Atlantic Canada and updating the standards and indicators used for the regulatory approval of psychiatric nursing education programs in Canada.
The project is a partnership among the four Atlantic nursing regulators and the Registered Psychiatric Nurse Regulators of Canada (RPNRC), with funding in part from the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program.
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Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) are regulated nursing professionals educated through approved post-secondary psychiatric nursing education programs.
Built on a foundation of general nursing, psychiatric nursing education includes the biological, psychological and social aspects of health, together with comprehensive study and clinical learning in psychiatric nursing, mental health and addiction, and advanced therapeutic relationships and communication.
RPNs must also successfully complete the national registration examination and meet registration and licensure requirements.
At entry level, RPNs practise across diverse healthcare settings, including hospitals, emergency departments, community care, correctional facilities, long-term care, addiction and rehabilitation services, and outreach programs.
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Registered Psychiatric Nurses, Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses are educated through distinct nursing education pathways that prepare them for different and complementary contributions in meeting the healthcare needs of Canadians.
Psychiatric nursing education includes concentrated theoretical and clinical learning in psychiatric nursing, mental health and addiction, preparing graduates for psychiatric nursing practice upon graduation.
Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses may develop additional mental health and addiction expertise through post-graduate education, clinical practice in mental health settings and specialty certification.
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Establishing a psychiatric nursing education pathway in Atlantic Canada will build a sustainable education program that helps meet the increasing demand for mental health and addiction care while strengthening the regional healthcare workforce.
A regional education pathway will retain local students and attract learners from across Canada and internationally, supporting workforce development and contributing to regional economic growth.
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No. Phase 1 identified a baccalaureate psychiatric nursing education program as the preferred model to support the long-term sustainability of the RPN profession in Atlantic Canada. However, no specific Atlantic Canadian program, institution, curriculum or delivery model has been selected or approved.
The current work is exploring the development of a sustainable psychiatric nursing education pathway in Atlantic Canada, informed by educators, regulators, governments and other system partners.
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Registered Psychiatric Nurses are now regulated in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Regulation is planned for New Brunswick in 2027.
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The development of a sustainable education pathway requires input from across the healthcare and education systems.
Educators, nursing regulators, provincial governments, employers, nursing organizations and other system partners are being engaged at appropriate points to help identify opportunities, barriers, system needs and practical considerations.
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Approved project updates, information and resources will be shared on this page as they become available.
RPNRC and participating nursing regulators may also share information through their existing communications channels and stakeholder networks.
Check back periodically for new resources, engagement updates and information about the project’s progress.
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program.
