About Us

The Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada (RPNC) is a virtual organization that includes formal regulatory bodies for the profession of Registered Psychiatric Nurses as members. The work of the RPNC is shared equitably by the four regulatory bodies that are members, through their human and fiscal resources. The Board of Directors is formed of the Presidents/Chairs and Executive Directors of the member organizations.

As a virtual organization, RPNC can be accessed via each member organization. Decisions are made by consensus and through the use of technology. The formal mailing address and the maintenance of files and accounting processes is done through the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta.

The RPNC Board of Directors - January 2011

Dorothy Jennings, RPN, Chair of the Board and Kyong-ae Kim, LLB, Executive Director of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of British Columbia
Anthony Brannen, RPN, President of the Board and Barbara Lowe, RPN, Executive Director of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta
Leo O'Rourke, RPN, President of the Board and Annette Osted, RPN, Executive Director of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba
Mary Kay Renwick, RPN, President of the Council and Robert Allen, RPN, Executive Director of the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan

Review Of RPNC Mandate

A facilitated meeting was held to review the vision, mission and goals of the RPNC. The meeting included the RPNC board of directors as well as the Practice Consultants of each member organization.

At the meeting:

All provincial mandates (current & projected) were reviewed.
All have the regulatory function as priority.
That principle provided the framework for what RPNC will do from now on.

The Vision

The previous statement was "Quality Mental Health for All Canadians. This was changed to:

Optimal Mental Health for All People of Canada

The Mission

The RPNC exists to provide leadership for the profession of psychiatric nursing by:

working collaboratively on regulatory issues in the public interest;
achieving common standards in education, registration and practice; and,
being a voice, nationally and internationally, for excellence in the profession

The Values

The following values were identified by the participants and approved by the Board of Directors:

Integrity
Excellence
Leadership
Collaboration
Passion

How We Live The Values

Integrity in all our activities and our relationships.
Excellence in psychiatric nursing.
Leadership in achieving mental health for all.
Collaboration with national and international stakeholders.
Passion for everything we do.

Goals

To develop National Entry Level Competencies (36 months)
To develop a new National Registration Exam (30 months)
To review and revise the Mutual Endorsement Agreement (9-12 months)
To participate in the planning for the development of a National Nursing Assessment Service (5 years-ongoing)
To update the profession's Competency Profile (36 months)
To establish national standards, criteria and processes for psychiatric nursing education programs in Canada (18 months)
To support the regulation of Registered Psychiatric Nurses across Canada (ongoing)
To maintain Currency of Practice Documents (ongoing)
To maintain an international forum for knowledge sharing/transfer (ongoing) (RPNC World Congress)
To explore the Concepts of Advanced Practice in Psychiatric Nursing (36 months)
To build and maintain a revised RPNC infrastructure (6 months)
To ensure ongoing harmonization of practice issues (Code of Ethics, Standards, etc...)
To build and sustain relationships helpful to RPNC goals (ongoing)

Unique Abilities

RPNs work in challenging clinical and treatment environments and in interdisciplinary team settings. They need to continually exercise sound judgment in making decisions and solving problems to meet clinical challenges and the health care needs of patients.

With their specific education and experience, RPNs are skilled in patient assessments; planning programs for their clients; and implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of the plans with the clients.

Many RPNs provide crisis and treatment intervention on a daily basis. They must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills to be effective as therapists capable of compassion and empathy, and in exercising tact and diplomacy while counselling and providing treatment to patients.

Their education provides the knowledge and skills required for those responsibilities.

Working In Partnership

RPNs represent the single largest group of health care professionals in the mental health field. RPNs are on the front lines, working as key members in an interdisciplinary team of health care professionals.

They provide care and services in hospitals, facilities and communities, and are at the heart of care delivery to patients.

RPNs work in full partnership with psychiatrists, psychologists, registered nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, pharmacists, managers, community agencies, law enforcement professionals and social service providers.

Making a Difference Across Mental Health

RPNs are employed in a broad range of settings that provide challenging and exciting opportunities for those interested in health care or a career in the mental health field. They work as staff nurses, managers, counsellors, clinical specialists, team leaders, supervisors, chief executive officers, executive directors, faculty, researchers, case managers and consultants in hundreds of communities across Canada.

Registered Psychiatric Nurses Providing Leadership

Many of Canada’s most experienced RPNs are actively involved in leadership roles in the country’s health system.

These RPNs play key roles in strengthening the delivery of mental health services by serving as team leaders, supervisors, senior administrators and decision makers – bringing valuable psychiatric nursing perspectives to their leadership roles and clinical settings, and helping to sustain and improve mental health care.

As well, many RPNs play an invaluable role in the education of students. Experienced RPNs serve as mentors, preceptors and role models. The insight and skills they share ensure the psychiatric nurses of tomorrow are better prepared for this dynamic profession.

A Rich Tradition of Providing Care

Decades of service by Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) have resulted in a respected and honoured legacy – a record of providing high standards of skilled and compassionate care.

For over 80 years, Registered Psychiatric Nurses have been an indispensable part of Canada’s health care system. RPNs have been educated in and focused on mental health care since the 1920s. There are over 5,000 Registered Psychiatric Nurses in Canada.

Psychiatric nursing is recognized as a distinct health care profession throughout western Canada and many other countries – a profession that is growing and adapting to meet the changing needs of patients and our health care system.

RPNC Contacts

College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta
201, 9711 – 45 Ave.
Edmonton, AB T6E 5V8
Tel: (780) 434-7666
Fax: (780) 436-4165
E-mail: crpna@crpna.ab.ca
Website: http://www.crpna.ab.ca

College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of British Columbia
Suite 307-2502 St. Johns Street
Port Moody, BC V3H 2B4
Tel: (604) 931-5200
Fax: (604) 931-5277
E-mail: info@crpnbc.ca
Website: www.crpnbc.ca

College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba
1854 Portage Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R3J 0G9
Tel: (204) 888-4841
Fax: (204) 888-8638
E-mail: crpnm@crpnm.mb.ca
Website: www.crpnm.mb.ca

Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan
2055 Lorne St.
Regina, SK S4P 2M4
Tel: (306) 586-4617
Fax: (306) 586-6000
E-mail: rpnas@rpnas.com
Website: www.rpnas.com