Registered Psychiatric Nurses Code of Ethics
This document comes into effect on January 1, 2025.
The Profession of Psychiatric Nursing
Psychiatric Nursing, as a distinct profession, provides service to individuals, families, groups, communities and populations whose care needs relate to mental, physical, and developmental health. Registered Psychiatric Nurses engage in various roles providing health services to individuals, families, groups, communities and populations. The practice of psychiatric nursing occurs within the domains of direct practice, education, administration, and research.
The core knowledge and skills of psychiatric nursing are derived from the biological, physiological, and psychological health sciences. The competencies acquired from this body of knowledge guide the application of critical thinking and professional judgment. The core of psychiatric nursing practice is the therapeutic relationship. Psychiatric Nursing focuses on various factors that influence physical and mental health and is committed to the promtion of health, the maintenance of optimal health, the prevention of illness, and the care and treatment of persons with mental illness and developmental and intellectual disabilities. Registered Psychiatric Nurses work with people on their personal journeys to recovery.
Psychiatric Nursing values all aspects of health. The profession recognizes the complex relationships between emotional, developmental, physical, and mental health; the influence of social factors on physical and mental health and on illness; and the role of culture and spirituality in health promotion, illness prevention, and recovery. Psychiatric Nursing values equality and equity and believes that persons with mental health and developmental challenges deserve access to high quality health services. As a profession, Psychiatric Nursing strives to respond to and influence a complex and changing health system.
This document provides guidance to Registered Psychiatric Nurses, educators, employers, and the public.
Psychiatric Nursing in Canada
Psychiatric Nursing is regulated as a distinct profession in Canada by the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan and the Yukon Territory. The Registered Psychiatric Nurse Regulators of Canada (RPNRC), made up of the provincial/territorial regulatory authorities, provides a unified provincial, national, and international voice for Registered Psychiatric Nurses in Canada. Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada’s vision is quality mental health services for all Canadians.
The profession of Psychiatric Nursing assumes the responsibility of self- regulation through provincial/ territorial legislation. The regulatory authorities in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon Territory regulate the profession of Psychiatric Nursing with a mandate to protect the public and set standards for psychiatric nursing practice and education.
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