Psychiatric Nurse

Learn about this occupation – including typical duties, education required, salary and job outlook information, job boards and more.

Psychiatric Nurses provide professional nursing and mental health nursing services in mental health care facilities and in the community. They promote and help people restore and maintain good mental health. (alis)  Along with other Registered Nurses, they are employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors' offices, clinics, community agencies, companies, private homes and public and private organizations or they may be self-employed. (NOC)

Nurses trained exclusively as registered psychiatric nurses (RPN) are regulated in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Colombia. In all other provinces and territories, registered nurses (RN) may work as psychiatric nurses without separate registration. Please keep in mind that a Registered Nurse would be trained in broader topics than a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, which means they could work in specialized fields related to Mental Health but would not be able to work specifically as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse.

Occupational profile

Find detailed information about the occupation, including typical duties and working conditions, in the links below:

Education

The University of Manitoba does not offer a specialized program in Psychiatric Nursing leading to a Registered Psychiatric Nursing designation (RPN), but does offer a degree in Nursing leading to a designation as a Registered Nurse (RN). A Registered Nurse would be trained in broader topics than a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, which means they could work in specialized fields related to Mental Health. Additionally, Psychiatric Nursing positions may be available to those holding an RN. View the links below to learn about Psychiatric Nursing programs in Manitoba and across Canada.  Meet with a Career Consultant to determine which degree path suits your occupational goals.

U of M Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar & Catalogue outlines program admission and course requirements. Use the left menu to navigate to a specific faculty and program. To determine which degree path suits your unique occupational goals, speak with a Career Consultant. For support with course registration and academic issues, speak with an Academic Advisor.

Faculty and Department Homepages
Visit U of M's faculty and department homepage to learn about program application deadlines and processes, as well as additional in-house resources and opportunities.

Exploring Other Education Options

Information for foreign-trained registered nurses and psychiatric nurses - Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials

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Resources

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Job Boards
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Other links

These external resources may provide you with additional information about the occupation and opportunities to build experience:

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Last updated: February 3, 2023