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Regulatory Requirements

Below is information you need about maintaining licensure eligibility, code of ethics, standards of practice, and fees.

Maintain licensure eligibility

Below are the guidelines approved by council required in order to maintain licensure.  As a member, it is important you read and understand these guidelines.

  1. In order to maintain eligibility for licensure, a registered psychiatric nurse must:

    1. practise 1400 hours under active licence with the RPNAS in psychiatric nursing activities approved by the association in the five year period immediately preceding date of application for renewal of active status; or,
    2. have graduated from an RPNAS approved program of psychiatric nursing within four years immediately preceding date of application for renewal of active status; or,
    3. successfully complete an re-entry program approved by council within four years immediately preceding date of application for renewal of active status.
    4. successfully complete a baccalareate or master level program approved by Council within four years immediately preceeding date of application for renewal of active status

  1. A registered psychiatric nurse must hold practising status and licensure with the RPNAS to have hours of work in an approved position count towards maintaining eligibility for licensure.

  1. Psychiatric nursing practice in a location outside of Saskatchewan is recognized:

    1. where the Endorsement Agreement applies (British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba).
    2. where the individual has worked as a registered health worker in a jurisdiction other than those specified in 3 a).
    3. where the individual can provide proof of practise in psychiatric nursing related activities in a jurisdiction other than those specified in 3 a).

  1. The time spent as orientation to a job will be counted.

  1. Job descriptions shall be obtained when necessary to evaluate eligibility of hours.

  1. In calculating eligible hours only actual hours worked will be considered for salaried registered psychiatric nurses employed in areas which are approved by the association. No “on call” or travel time, or leave of any type (vacation, leave of absence, maternity, education, disability) may be calculated as hours worked for each and all employers.

  1. Hours worked as salaried registered psychiatric nurse in positions approved as the practice of psychiatric nursing shall be in one of the following areas of practice: clinical nursing, administration, research, or education. The following criteria will also be considered:Position Descriptions Primary Practice Areas

    • staff – developmentally handicapped
    • manager – forensics
    • supervisor/coordinator – addictions
    • director/assistant – children/adolescents
    • clinical specialist – geriatrics/dementia
    • educator – acute care
    • community worker – home-based care
    • staff development worker – rehabilitation/vocational
    • counsellor/therapist – administration
    • health promotion
    • program evaluation
    • research

  1. Hours worked as salaried registered psychiatric nurse in positions approved as the practice of psychiatric nursing shall be in one of the following areas of practice: clinical nursing, administration, research, or education. The following criteria will also be considered: Position Descriptions Primary Practice Areas

    • PART (Professional Assault Response Training)
    • Suicide Prevention/Response
    • CISD (Critical Incident Stress Debriefing)
    • Parenting (STEP)
    • CPR courses
    • First Aid/St. John’s Ambulance/Red Cross Nursing
    • Sexuality
    • Smoking Cessation
    • Self-Help Groups
    • Workshops

  1. Volunteer hours for non-salaried activities may be considered for eligible hours. Prior written requests must be made and member participation will be assessed by the registrar on an individual basis. Examples of recognized volunteer hours include:

    • District, provincial, national health boards, commissions, committees
    • provincial/national professional association activities
    • crisis intervention/counselling for non-profit community agencies
    • health monitoring/counselling for non-profit community agencies (blood pressure clinics, family planning, etc.)
    • camp health care services

  1. Other written requests for recognition will be reviewed by the registrar on an individual basis according to legislation and policies.

Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics articulates ethical principles, values and standards to guide all members of the psychiatric nursing profession. The Code defines accepted behaviors and establishes a framework for professional responsibility and accountability. The Code promotes high standards of practice and provides a benchmark for psychiatric nurses to use for self-evaluation. The Code of Ethics identifies the obligations of the profession and the obligations of individual psychiatric nurses to society.

The Core Values that provide the framework for this Code of Ethics are professional accountability, unconditional respect, wholistic health, quality practice milieu.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Registered Psychiatric Nurses:

  • Differentiate between professional and personal relationships.
  • Establish therapeutic relationships.
  • Recognize potential vulnerability of all persons.
  • Practice within their level of competence.
  • Use evidence-based practice.
  • Use continuing competence throughout their professional career.
  • Maintain a personal level of health and mental health.
  • Provide competent, safe and ethical care.
  • Protect the confidentiality of all information obtained as a result of professional relationships.
  • Demonstrate professional practice that reflects honesty, integrity, reliability, impartiality and diligence.
  • Demonstrate professional judgment when accepting and delegating responsibilities.
  • Report incompetent or unethical behaviors of care providers.
  • Accept responsibility for own practice and minimize harm arising from adverse events.
  • Refrain from endorsement of products or services.
  • Promote the psychiatric nursing profession.
  • Practice according to provincial and federal legislation and Standards of Psychiatric Nursing Practice.
  • Understand, promote and uphold the ethical values of the profession.

UNCONDITIONAL RESPECT

Registered Psychiatric Nurses:

  • Promote respect, autonomy, rights, diversity and choice of all people.
  • Demonstrate advocacy.
  • Respect the diversity and unique beliefs of all people
  • Know, apply and uphold the elements of informed consent.

WHOLISTIC HEALTH

Registered Psychiatric Nurses:

  • Respect the rights, needs and values of each person.
  • Recognize that health and mental health are an interconnected and dynamic process.
  • Comprehend that unique lifestyles and expectations influence health and mental health.
  • Endorse collaborative and wholistic approaches to health and mental health from promotion, prevention, intervention, rehabilitation to recovery.
  • Promote research and evidence -based psychiatric nursing practice.
  • Respect and value collaborative and shared-care.

QUALITY PRACTICE MILIEU

Registered Psychiatric Nurses:

  • Recognize that community, socio-economic and political system environments influence health and mental health.
  • Contribute to quality practice settings by modeling positive, healthy and ethical conduct.
  • Contribute to and maintain safe practice environments.
  • Advocate for sufficient resources to provide safe and competent psychiatric nursing practice.
  • Advocate for fair and equitable access to benefits and treatment for all people.

Standards of practice

Below is a link to download a PDF of the Standards of Psychiatric Nursing Practice (2019). These standards were revised and updated for national use by the Registered Psychiatric Nurse Regulators of Canada and adopted by the RPNAS Council November 30, 2019.

The Standards of Psychiatric Nursing Practice (2019) outlines in broad terms the expected level of performance of all RPNs. The Standards come into effect December 15, 2019 and replace the 2010 Standards document.

Download the SPNP

Fees

Psychiatric Nurses Pledge

I do hereby pledge my commitment to the psychiatric nursing profession and those entrusted to my care — endeavouring at all times to meet the holistic needs of the individual.

I will strive to gain knowledge through continuing education for the betterment of myself and my profession.

I will faithfully perform my duties and co-operate, within the bounds of my professional responsibility, with all whom I associate.

I acknowledge the dignity and challenge of my profession and accept the obligation it implies.

All of which I pledge on my honour.