Nurse, Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)
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:
| Starting | $36.97 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $42.88 |
| Top | $48.76 |
Interest in instructing patients in life skills programs; and in encouraging patients to participate in routine work functions and recreational, community and other therapeutic activities
Interest in compiling information to keep patient records and record symptoms and changes in patients' conditions
Interest in operating medical equipment to perform tests and administer treatments; and in evaluating patients' adjustment in the community
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Either independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team, psychiatric nurses provide holistic, client-centered nursing care. They may:
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 need:
They should enjoy:
The minimum education requirement for psychiatric nurses is a diploma in psychiatric nursing. Psychiatric nurses need to be committed to lifelong learning.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Psychiatric nurses provide professional nursing and mental health nursing services for patients, residents and clients in acute and long-term care facilities and in the community. They assess physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health needs, develop diagnoses and plan, implement and evaluate nursing care.
Under Alberta's Health Professions Act and Registered Psychiatric and Mental Deficiency Nurses Profession Regulation, registration with the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta is mandatory if you meet identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public, teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession, or supervise registered members who provide services to the public. Registered members, who are authorized by the College, provide restricted activities specified in the Regulation. Only registered members may call themselves registered psychiatric nurses or use the initials RPN or PN.
Registration with CRPNA requires successful completion of: (1) an approved program of studies, or equivalent, within a specified time period prior to application, and (2) an approved examination. Applicants who have been out of practice for a period of time also may have to demonstrate that they are currently competent to practice. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, visit the CRPNA website or contact the CRPNA directly.
Psychiatric nurses who are registered by and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered psychiatric nurses in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see "What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
To learn about certification for internationally educated psychiatric nurses, see Registered Psychiatric Nurse Registration Process.
College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta
201, 9711 - 45 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6E 5V8
Phone number: 780-434-7666
Toll-free phone number: 1-877-234-7666
Fax number: 780-436-4165
Website: www.crpna.ab.ca
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:
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:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for psychiatric nurses vary depending on their employer and their educational qualifications, experience, and responsibilities.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $36.86 | $38.09 | $36.97 | $36.86 |
| Overall | $42.59 | $44.64 | $42.88 | $42.61 |
| Top | $48.37 | $50.67 | $48.76 | $48.37 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $80,171 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $80,129 |
| Public Administration | $72,548 |
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
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.