Projects & Publications

Guidelines for Registered Psychiatric Nurses

Registered Psychiatric Nurse Entry-Level Competencies (2014)

This document sets out the entry-level competencies for Registered Psychiatric Nurses. The development of national entry-level competencies increases consistency among the jurisdictions in Canada that regulate Registered Psychiatric Nurses.

Ce document est disponible en français: Compétences de base de l'infirmière/l'infirmier psychiatrique autorisé (2014)

Guidelines for Assisting Internationally Educated Applicants - Education Requirements (2016)

The purpose of this document is to assist internationally educated psychiatric nursing

applicants to assess their eligibility to apply for registration as a Registered Psychiatric

Nurse (RPN) in Canada.

Guidelines for Registered Psychiatric Nurses in Independent Practice (2008)

This document provides guidelines to RPNs in independent practice to help ensure  that professional practice, liability and risk management issues are properly addressed.

Staff Mix Decision-making Framework for Quality Nursing Care (2012)

The Staff Mix Decision-making Framework for Quality Nursing Care is a comprehensive and evidence-informed resource presenting a systematic approach to staff mix decision-making that can be used in all clinical practice settings.

Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination Blueprint 

This chart outlines the blueprint for examination of psychiatric nursing graduates.

Studies & Reports

Registered Psychiatric Nurses in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island: A Feasibility Study (2023)

Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition Program, the purpose of the feasibility study was to explore the pathway to licensure and regulation of RPNs in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI with a view to improve and support the access and provision of psychiatric, mental health and addictions services in the Maritime provinces, address the inequity faced by internationally educated psychiatric nurses (IEPNs), and improve the labour mobility of RPNs by laying the groundwork for regulation of RPNs in these provinces as well as in other jurisdictions.

Ce document est disponible en français: Infirmières psychiatriques autorisées au Nouveau-Brunswick, en Nouvelle-Écosse et à l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard : Une étude de faisabilité (2023)

Mobility and Assessment of Canadian and Internationally Educated Registered Psychiatric Nurses (2015)

Mobility of Registered Psychiatric Nurses outside of western Canada has been a long-standing issue. Registered Psychiatric Nurses are free to work anywhere in Canada, but not as Registered Psychiatric Nurses. Canadian or internationally educated Registered Psychiatric Nurses in non-regulated jurisdictions are often underemployed working in non-regulated nursing-related roles and are often prevented from applying their full scope of their knowledge and skills in the delivery of healthcare to Canadians.  

In light of this mobility issue and recognizing that Canadian and internationally educated psychiatric nurses are a part of Canada’s response to meet the mental health needs of its citizens, the RPNRC launched the Mobility and Assessment of Canadian and Internationally Educated Registered Psychiatric Nurses project.

Report on Patient/Client Safety in Mental Health Settings (2006)

This report describes a patient/safety initiative that was funded by the Office of Nursing Policy, Health Canada and championed by the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of British Columbia as the project lead. Collaborative partners in the initiative also included The College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba,The Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan and The College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta.

Resources for those studying to become Registered Psychiatric Nurses

RPNRC Examination Study Guide (2018)

The purpose of the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Study Guide is to assist candidates who will be writing the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE).

RPNRC Position Statements