Psychiatric Nurse

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Psychiatric Nurses (3152.4) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Registered Nurses (D112) 
• 2011 NOC: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (3012) 
• 2016 NOC: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses (3012) 

Either independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team, psychiatric nurses provide holistic, client-centered nursing care. They may:

• Complete health histories, physical examinations, and mental status assessments
• Develop, implement, evaluate, and update nursing care plans
• Administer and assess the effects of prescribed medications and treatments
• Assess, report, and respond appropriately to observed behavioural changes
• Plan and implement strategies to promote optimal mental and physical health and well-being of clients
• Serve as advocates for clients and their families
• Monitor the unit to ensure quality and safe patient care
• Facilitate multidisciplinary team meetings and daily case reviews with doctors
• Prepare daily staff assignment sheets
• Provide short-term counselling and one-on-one client therapy
• De-escalate aggressive situations
• Facilitate workshops on self-esteem, anger management, goal setting, relapse prevention, and grief and loss
• Interview new client admissions and assist with discharge planning
• Provide wound care management and vital signs assessments
• Do routine drug screening and breathalyzer tests
• Assist clients with Alberta and federal funding programs
• Facilitate family meetings to discuss client needs and expectations in care
• Keep clear and accurate documentation

Psychiatric nurses’ teamwork skills come into play when setting up and implementing therapeutic programs. At those times, they collaborate with health care professionals such as psychiatrists, physicians, psychologists, social workers, pharmacists, recreational and occupational therapists, as well as people in law enforcement.

Psychiatric nursing can be intellectually, physically, and emotionally demanding. Shift work is the norm in institutional settings such as hospitals. Shifts include nights, weekends and holidays. Psychiatric nurses may be required to provide direct physical care, including lifting and transferring patients, and assisting patients with hygiene needs and other daily activities.

Nurses often drive to their work locations.

Psychiatric nurses may be employed in a wide variety of settings. About two-thirds of psychiatric nurses employed in Alberta work in hospitals. Most of the others are hired at:

• Community mental health programs and clinics (for example, support services for people with disabilities or chemical dependencies, crisis services, and suicide-prevention programs)
• Residential care facilities
• Acute care, extended care, long-term care, and palliative care facilities
• Educational institutions
• Correctional institutions

Psychiatric nurses are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3012: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses. In Alberta, 96% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Trends and events affecting overall employment, especially in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation

In Alberta, the 3012: Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.6% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 1361 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) website: nursesunions.ca

College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA) website: www.crpna.ab.ca

Registered Psychiatric Nurse Regulators of Canada (RPNRC) website: www.rpnc.ca

United Nurses of Alberta (UNA) website: www.una.ab.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.