Overview
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses provide direct nursing care to patients, deliver health education programs and provide consultative services regarding issues relevant to the practice of nursing. 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.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Registered psychiatric nurses
Provide nursing care, supportive counselling and life skills programming to patients in psychiatric hospitals, mental health clinics, long-term care facilities and community-based settings.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$67,782
$93,852
$108,451
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
Strong job outlook
British Columbia
15,140expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Registered psychiatric nurses
Completion of a university or college registered psychiatric nursing program is required.
Registration with a regulatory body is required in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and the Yukon.
Additional information
Nurses trained exclusively as registered psychiatric nurses (RPN) are regulated in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. In all other provinces and territories, registered nurses (RN) may work as psychiatric nurses without separate registration.
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses may progress to supervisory and managerial positions with experience.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Registered psychiatric nurses in B.C.
- BCCNM Registration - RPNs
Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Registered psychiatric nurses in B.C.
- Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Certification - RPNs
BCCNM Registration - RPNs
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To practice as a nurse in B.C., you must register with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Eligibility is achieved by completing a nursing program at a qualified institution, and sitting and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Certification - RPNs
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a registered nurse or registered psychiatric nurse in B.C., you may choose to become certified with the Canadian Nurses Association. Eligibility is achieved by being a registered nurse, psychiatric nurse, or nurse practitioner, work experience, and/or specialty education.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.