Registered Psychiatric Nurses
Registered
Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) provide professional mental health nursing
services in mental health care facilities, acute care hospitals, and in
the community. They promote and help people restore and maintain good
mental health. Psychiatric nurses work in cooperation with other health
care professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers,
recreational therapists, and occupational therapists to develop and
implement therapeutic programs.
RPNs work in a variety of capacities: they provide holistic,
client-centred nursing care; assist in completing mental and physical
health assessments; observe and report behavioural changes; promote
mental health and wellness; and act as advocates for clients.
Working as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in Alberta
Alberta offers Registered Psychiatric Nurses the chance to
work independently or as members of a health care team. They have the
opportunity to work directly with individuals, families, and groups in a
variety of exciting settings such as clinic, hospitals, communities,
educational institutions, government services, and home care agencies.
About one third of the psychiatric nurses employed in Alberta work in two large psychiatric hospitals. Others are employed by:
- community mental health programs and clinics (for
example, support services for persons who have disabilities or chemical
dependencies, crisis services and suicide prevention programs)
- residential care facilities
- acute care, extended care, long-term care or palliative care facilities
- educational institutions
- correctional institutions
Psychiatric nurses may also work as consultants to community agencies, public health nurses or foster home parents.
If you would like more detailed information about working as a
Registered Psychiatric Nurse such as duties, working conditions,
salaries, educational requirements, and personal characteristics, you
can read the career profile for registered psychiatric nursing
in the Alberta Learning Information Service's occupational information website, OCCinfo
.
You may also wish to review the occupational profiles of these other
registered nursing occupations whose duties may overlap with psychiatric
nursing:
