Registered Psychiatric Nurse Entry-Level Competencies
Introduction
Background
The Registered Psychiatric Nurse Entry-Level Competencies are revised every five to seven years at a national level to ensure they are relevant to Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) practice, consistent among the jurisdictions, and support workforce mobility requirements of the Canadian Agreement on Internal Trade. In February 2024, the Registered Psychiatric Nurse Regulators of Canada (RPNRC) contracted with Meazure Learning (Yardstick Assessment Strategies Inc.) to review and update the RPN Entry-Level Competencies (ELCs). The review process included consultation with each of the regulatory bodies that regulate RPNs, as well as with RPNs from a variety of practice settings, psychiatric nursing faculty and clinical educators, and employers.
This document replaces the RPN Entry-Level Competencies document published in 2014.
Registered Psychiatric Nursing in Canada
Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) are autonomous professionals. The core of psychiatric nursing practice is therapeutic communication and the therapeutic relationship. Emotion, behaviour and cognition are a major focus in psychiatric nursing practice. Many psychotherapeutic interventions are performed through the psychiatric nurse’s interaction with the client (Kunyk et al., 2023).
RPNs focus on mental and neurodevelopmental health, mental illness and addictions and use the nursing process and bio-psycho-social and spiritual models of assessment for a holistic approach to care. Entry level RPNs are also prepared with a foundational knowledge of nursing and medical-surgical nursing practice. The profession is committed to the prevention of illness and to the promotion and maintenance of optimal health, rehabilitation and recovery.
Psychiatric nursing education programs prepare entry-level RPNs to begin their practice in a variety of practice settings, with diverse populations, and across the lifespan. The practice environment plays a crucial role in the further development and consolidation of the entry-level competencies. Employers are integral in supporting entry level RPNs to further develop their competencies through orientation, continuing education and professional-development opportunities.
Purpose of Entry-Level Competencies
The 2025 Registered Psychiatric Nurse Entry-Level Competencies reflect the foundational knowledge, skills, judgments and attitudes required of RPNs in order to provide safe, competent, ethical and compassionate care. The entry-level competencies are used by the regulatory bodies, psychiatric nursing education programs and other external partners for several purposes, including but not limited to:
- Curriculum development
- Psychiatric nursing education program review and approval
- Development of the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE)
- Development of standards
- Competency-based and/or practice assessments for initial or returning applicants (including internationally educated RPNs and current registrants)
- Practice consultations
- Professional conduct review
- Information for public, employers and external partners
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