Registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) focus on their clients’ mental and developmental health. They consider the mind, body, and spirit of every person, group, and community they work with.
RPNs work in clinical and team settings. They provide crisis and treatment intervention every day and have excellent social and communication skills.
In Alberta, RPNs who meet advanced educational and clinical practice requirements can prescribe certain medicines and order some tests.

Graduates of Alberta’s approved 2.5-year psychiatric nursing diploma program can write the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination and apply to become a registered psychiatric nurse. RPNs may also get a post-diploma bachelor of psychiatric nursing degree. RPNs must hold a current licence from the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta to practise in Alberta.