Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing
Online theory and in-person labs and clinicals
Start: Spring and Fall
120 weeks with regional clinical placements and practicum
$41.42-$72.39/hour (BCNU April 2024)
British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)
About the Career
A Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) directly cares for those with mental illness, physical and developmental disabilities, and addictions. Registered Psychiatric Nurses also promote optimal mental health across community and health care settings. RPNs work in challenging clinical and treatment environments and in interdisciplinary team settings.
Registered Psychiatric Nurses possess specialized skills in providing psychiatric patient assessments, determining patient needs, offering therapeutic support and expert counselling, and implementing treatment plans. They must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills to be effective as primary nurses, and capable of extending compassion, empathy and diplomacy.
This rewarding career offers the opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges, working as part of a collaborative healthcare team to provide comprehensive, compassionate care.
Please note: This program is not eligible for the post-graduate work permit program.
Potential Employers
A Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) directly cares for those with mental illness, physical and developmental disabilities, and addictions while promoting optimal mental health across community and health care settings.
Various Health Authority Hospitals
Mental health & Substance Use Programs
Inpatient and Community Services
Forensic Service Departments
Schools / Higher Education
Group homes & Clubhouses
Not-for-profit Organizations
Nursing Education Programs
About the Program
In response to an overwhelming demand for Psychiatric Nurses throughout British Columbia, particularly outside the large urban centres, Stenberg College has offered its online-based Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing program since 2006. The only program of its kind in Canada, this innovative program allows students to do the majority of their coursework as well as their clinical placements and practicum in their local communities (within BC).
Theory is instructor-led in a guided online learning platform. Online learning combined with regional clinical placements allow you to pursue your education in your home community.
You will be taught by working Nurse Educators who are committed to your success. This program is recognized by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM), and the curriculum focuses on the competencies that are required to successfully complete the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE).
Program Features:
- The only online-based regional psychiatric nursing program in Canada
- Complete most coursework and clinical placements in your local community
- Instructor-led guided online learning platform
- Taught by working Nurse Educators
- BCCNM recognized program
- Preparation for RPNCE examination
- 12% of seats allocated to self-identified Indigenous applicants
- LPN advanced entry pathway available (outside Lower Mainland)
Nursing Competency Categories: Nursing abilities are based in seven categories: 1. therapeutic relationships and therapeutic use of self, 2. evidence-informed knowledge, 3. collaborative practice, 4. Advocacy, 5. quality care and client safety, 6. health promotion, and 7. ethical, professional, and legal and responsibilities. The client is the person central to all nursing practice.
Related Programs
Post-Graduation Pathways
Stenberg Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing graduates have many options available to them after program completion! Read below to learn more about our articulation agreements.
Articulation to Athabasca University
Stenberg College Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing graduates are eligible for advanced entry to Athabasca University's Bachelor of Science Post Diploma with a major in Math, Human Science or Computing Information Systems.
Articulation to Douglas College
Douglas College's Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing (BSPN) grants advanced entry (PLAR) to Psychiatric Nursing graduates.
Accreditation and Recognition
Stenberg College is designated by the BC government's Ministry of Advanced Education through the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU). This program is approved by the PTIRU of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. PTIRU is responsible for setting standards of quality and ensuring consumer protection. Stenberg College has also received the BC government's Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation, which is BC's brand or "seal" of quality post-secondary education for public and private institutions.
Admission Requirements
- Attend an information session via webinar
- Submit an application form
- Successfully complete the online entrance essay assignment/assessment
- Provide an up-to-date resume
If English is a second language, you will be required to pass one of Stenberg College's recognized Language Proficiency Assessments (IELTS or CELBAN).
- Grade 12 English (minimum grade B)
- Grade 12 Anatomy & Physiology or Biology (minimum grade B)
- Grade 11 Math (Principles, Foundations, Pre-calculus, or Applications) (minimum grade B)
Stenberg College Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing applicants may write challenge exams or take upgrading courses to meet admission requirements for Math 11, English 12 and A&P/Bio 12 which must be passed with the above-noted minimum grades. Any Post-Secondary level Math, English or Anatomy & Physiology courses are also acceptable.
- Graduation from grade 12 with a C+ average
- Grade 10 Science (minimum grade C)
Admission Information
For applicants applying for a seat outside of the Lower Mainland region, admission is granted to candidates on a first-qualified basis in the next available cohort. Admission to the Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing program within the Lower Mainland region is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum pre-requisite requirements does not guarantee a seat. Applications are evaluated based on a multitude of factors, including prior post-secondary education and work/volunteer experience in the healthcare industry. Waitlists do not carry forward to the following intake and applicants are required to re-compete. For details regarding your specific region, please speak to a Program Registrar, as the intake status of a region can change. Twelve percent (12%) of Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing program seats are allocated to self-identified Indigenous applicants who meet program requirements. If the seats are not filled within 12 weeks of the program start, the seats will be offered to other qualified applicants.
LPN Advanced Entry Pathway
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) may be eligible for advanced entry with verification of current licensing, proof of 2 years full-time work experience, and completion of an accredited LPN program. Please Note: We are no longer accepting applications to our Lower Mainland region for the LPN Access Pathway due to a large waitlist and limited seat capacity. We are still accepting applications for all other regions for the LPN Access Pathway Program.
Student Diversity
Stenberg supports diversity in our student population, and we hold one seat per program for a self-identified Indigenous applicant who meets admission requirements. If the seat remains unfilled at 12 weeks prior to the program start, the seat will be released and offered to other qualified applicants.
Program Courses
Study Skills
The Study Skills course has multiple goals, with the overall aim being to directly enhance student success in the on-line program. The course includes technical, personal and academic skills development so that the student can fully participate in the program and contribute to the building of a strong and vibrant on-line learning community. During the orientation sessions, students will be instructed in computer techniques (e.g. using Moodle effectively, conducting online database searches) and will have workshops to increase self-awareness and develop effective study skills. In the online segments, students will further their student success skills and discover effective study habits based on their own personal learning styles.
Clinical Procedure I
This course will assist students in gaining knowledge of essential nursing procedures. Students will develop skills in collecting data, diagnosis recognition, assisting in the assessment, planning and implementation of nursing care plans, performing basic nursing procedures, handling equipment and documenting patient outcomes. This 6-week online course will be followed by one week in a laboratory environment to practice skills and prepare for the clinical experience in Semester 2.
Basic Concepts and Contexts of Psychiatric Nursing
The basic concepts of psychiatric nursing will be introduced in this course, as well as describing psychiatric nursing within a number of relevant contexts. Content will include the concepts of mental health and mental illness, the historical context of mental health/ill health, historical and contemporary political contexts of mental health care, and sociological and cultural aspects. The course will cover differing perspectives of mental health, the genesis and development of psychiatric nursing through the years, theoretical underpinnings of mental health care and psychiatric nursing, principal theories of psychiatric nursing, treatment and care paradigms of the person with mental health problems. The psychiatric nursing roles from micro to macro and the interpersonal focus of psychiatric nursing will be examined.
Therapeutic Relationships I: Foundations of Therapeutic Communication
This course will provide you with an introduction to the theory, beginning practical (technical) skills, and development (enhancement) of the personal qualities required to form therapeutic relationships. Further, you will be introduced to theories and models of communication. The theoretical content will include models of therapeutic relationship formation, different types of 'helping', the therapeutic use of self, and the relationship-building skills of warmth, empathy, respect, genuineness, and asking questions. Enzman Hines, Wardell, Engebretson, Zahourek, and Smith explain the nurse is called to the healing encounter, drawn by compassion to the vulnerability and/or suffering of another (as cited in Balzer-Riley, 2017, p. xi). Being called to this encounter is an intimate privilege of bearing witness to the journeys of those we serve, and imperative to this, are finely tuned skills to support assertive communication, client education, and advocacy that are required of the psychiatric nursing profession (Balzer-Riley, 2017).
Introduction to Philosophy: Analysis and Reasoning
This course provides an introduction to the basic themes of philosophy, critical thinking, informal and formal logic. The emphasis will be on how to effectively critically think by engaging in the fundamental philosophical questions including existence, morality, values, logic and reasoning, epistemology, the nature of persons, the existence of free will, the relation of mind and body and the idea and structure of a just society. Reference will be made to ancient philosophy, existential philosophy, and more contemporary philosophy focusing on a wide range of reasoning skills from verbal argument analysis to formal logic, visual and statistical reasoning, scientific methodology and creative thinking.
Anatomy and Physiology
This course will cover body systems and sense organs. Teaching about each system will include: the medical terminology accompanying each system, and the medical language used in describing system physiology, an overview of that system's general function; system parts, their specific function and location; relationship with other systems; and common pathologies including lab and diagnostic tests, signs and symptoms and prognosis of those pathology which will form the basis of your pathophysiology course in semester 2. This course also explores various health promotion strategies that work towards optimal function of these systems.
Block Lab I
Block lab 1 is a 1-week, in-person high-fidelity lab simulation experience that allows students to demonstrate competence in applying nursing clinical procedures, therapeutic communications and relationships, and theoretical concepts to nursing practice with the older adult population in preparation for clinical practice within a residential care setting. Students will demonstrate proficiency in applying the nursing process, provide for basic human needs and personal care, demonstrate asepsis and infection control, demonstrate safe patient handling and mobility alongside the use of mobility equipment, perform holistic patient assessments and identify required interventions, document and communicate within an interdisciplinary care team, and demonstrate understanding of ethical and legal principles regarding the care of older adults in the residential care environment. The skills demonstrated in this lab will be consolidated through the student's subsequent older adult clinical learning experience.
Developing professional identity and expanding clinical knowledge.
Professional Practice and Leadership in Psychiatric Nursing: Part I
Professional Practice and Leadership is a cornerstone upon which nurses acquire the necessary attitude, skills, and knowledge for the Registered Psychiatric Nursing profession. This course will introduce concepts related to professional identify, competency awareness, expertise framework, personal leadership, and the notion of followership. This course will cultivate a powerful sense of self-concept as you endeavour to integrate new perspectives into your practice. You will also experience a significant amount of shared learning as you collaborate with individuals with the same goal of becoming professional psychiatric nurses.
Clinical Procedures II
This course will assist students in gaining knowledge of more essential nursing procedures. Students will continue to build on foundational skills in psychiatric nursing clinical practice. This 7-week online course will be followed by one week in a laboratory environment to practice skills and prepare for the clinical experience in Semester 3.
Pharmacology I: Foundations of Pharmacology
This course will provide an introduction to the fundamentals of pharmacology and pharmacotherapy within the context of general and psychiatric nursing practice. The course content will be considered in context of the Metaparadigms of Nursing – Person, Health, Environment and Nurse while utilizing the Nursing Process to guide critical decision making. Students will acquire a solid grounding in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics principles, including but not restricted to the mechanisms, actions, and therapeutic effects and side effects of common pharmacological agents. Classification of drugs/medications and pharmaceutical calculations in the administration of the same will be covered. Medication administration requires the application of the nursing process in clinical decision-making, therefore the various routes of medication administration, and failsafe administration practices will be emphasized, especially with respect to the application of oral medications. Finally, students will explore aspects of pharmacotherapy that address over the counter drugs and supplements, major body systems including the central nervous system, hematological, dermatological, ophthalmic and otic drugs, body defences, the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal system.
Health Care for Older Adults Theory
This theory course will introduce students to nursing theory, assessment and the care of the older adult. Students will develop an understanding of the rewards and challenges of working with older adults in long-term care, community, and hospital settings. Students will acquire knowledge about aging theories and concepts and age-related changes and risk factors. Students will learn how to conduct holistic assessments of the older adult using a psychological, physiological, sociocultural, spiritual and developmental framework and will learn targeted age-related assessment tools. The role of the psychiatric nurse and the importance of interprofessional care in providing care for older adults will be explored. Ethical and legal implications will be discussed as well as issues of caregiver support and the needs of individuals and families working with older patients during end-of-life care. Other topics include: cultural diversity and inclusion, communication, episodic and chronic health challenges, dementia; delirium; depression, nutrition, substance use, elder abuse, safe medication use, pain, geropsychiatry, mental health and wellness.
Pathophysiological Concepts
This course will cover the pathology of body systems and sense organs. Students will be using the knowledge gained in the previous Anatomy and Physiology course. With that knowledge, students will apply their understanding of lab values and diagnostic tests, signs, symptoms, and prognosis to explore body systems and sense organ pathology. Students will begin to relate these to nursing care, as it is applied to nursing assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation (ADPIE). Continuing from Anatomy and Physiology, students will be exploring various health promotion strategies that work towards the optimal function of the body systems and sense organs examined.
Health Care for Older Adults Clinical Practice
This course will introduce the principles and practices of nursing care for the older adult, enabling students to gain the basic knowledge and ability required. Clinical practice occurs in a range of residential care settings and with a variety of older adult client populations requiring nursing care, treatment, and intervention. Students will be expected to apply previously learned theory and begin to acquire and apply clinical skills. Students are provided with the opportunity to practice basic interpersonal communication skills, and physiologically oriented interventions, in a safe, and monitored environment.
Career Search Strategies
In this course, students will learn to network effectively (online and in-person), to search and apply for jobs, and to prepare targeted resumes, cover letters, and a portfolio. Students will be provided with coaching and individualized instructor feedback on their resume, cover letter, portfolio, and interview skills. Module 1 will support students in identifying their skillset by using a job posting to analyze the description to compare the required skillset to their own. Module 2 will have students creating their professional psychiatric nursing resumes that reflect their skillsets identified within module one. Module 3 will support creation of a cover letter in response to the module 1 identified job posting.
Block Lab II
The general medical focused lab continues the sequencing of skills development from block lab 1 and Semester 2 theory with the integration of intermediate skills of the physiological assessment, therapeutic communication skills, and with curriculum additions including meeting competence in caring for patient populations across the lifespan in the general medical hospital setting. Students continue their demonstration of applying the skills within block lab 2 which includes demonstrating competence in medication administration, the head-to-toe assessment, understanding diagnostic testing and implications for care, focused and narrative documentation, enhancing the professional presence, demonstrating critical thinking and sound clinical decision-making skills. The skills demonstrated in this lab will be consolidated through the student's subsequent general medical clinical learning experience.
Expanding skills in general medical nursing and therapeutic relationships.
Ethics and Law in Healthcare: Part I
This course provides an introduction to ethics and law within the context of mental health care in BC and Canada. Students will examine the major ethical approaches, such as deontology, utilitarianism, and ethical principles, as well as current mental health legislation in BC. Students will apply the ethical theories to a variety of clinical psychiatric nursing situations. The course relies on the concept of the ethical dilemma as a means to help students explore ethical structure and thought. Rather than being an exercise in academic thinking, students will be encouraged to explore how they can become ethical practitioners. Students will discuss common situations encountered in mental health practice from a number of different ethical positions.
Pharmacology II: General Pharmacology
This course begins where Pharmacology I ended. In this course, you will be using the knowledge you gained in Foundations of Pharmacology to continue the study of medications and drug classes. Here you will incorporate both the nursing process and evidence-informed practice in the study of drugs and drug classes. You will be studying medications through their interactions with body systems, and by this will be drawing on the knowledge you gained in both your pathophysiology and anatomy and physiology courses. You will be completing your study of pharmacology and nursing management in traditional body systems and drug-function approach. In this approach, your learning will be facilitated by grouping functionally related drugs and drug groups.
Clinical Procedure III
This course will assist you to further your knowledge of medical/surgical nursing procedures. You will continue to develop skills in collecting data, diagnosis recognition, assisting in the assessment, planning, and implementation of nursing care plans, performing basic nursing procedures, handling equipment and documenting patient outcomes. This 6-week online course will be followed by one week in a laboratory environment to practice skills and prepare for the clinical experience in Semester 4.
Introduction to Microbiology
This course will complement pathological concepts by explaining the characteristics of micro-organisms and their role in the transmission of disease. The content will explore the differences between pathogens and non-pathogens, describing and differentiating between bacteria and viruses. It will be exploring micro-organisms within the healthy and non-healthy human body and the relationship between micro-organisms and the processes of inflammation, infection and healing. This course will also be explaining the concepts of asepsis as it relates to micro-organisms.
Perspectives on Indigenous Culture in Canada
This course focuses on the history, health, and wellbeing of Indigenous populations in Canada. The impacts and historical and ongoing colonization on the realities of contemporary health status will be examined. Students will work to develop an understanding of the profound relationship between colonization and the health inequities that disproportionately burden Indigenous people. A focus on Indigenous resilience, knowledge, and approaches to health and healing will be examined while analyzing the relationship between 'western' medicine and traditional Indigenous approaches to health care. Nursing considerations and challenges of offering culturally safe and competent mental health care to Indigenous populations will be identified with a critical exploration of potential strategies. Specific attention will be given to the Canadian and Provincial governments' forced assimilation policies, such as the Indian Residential School System, which created inter-generational trauma, leading to significant quality of life issues today. The vital need for trauma-informed practice and anti-racism in health care will be highlighted. Through self-reflection, learning from various Indigenous and ally voices, and critical analysis, students will increase awareness of systemic oppression in health care, thereby preparing psychiatric nursing students to develop awareness, sensitivity, cultural safety, and competency in their professional practice.
Therapeutic Relationships II: Therapeutic Communication Skills
This course builds upon the capabilities in communication and interpersonal relationships learned in Therapeutic Relationships I. Students will learn the communication processes in the healthcare environment and will explore the role of basic attending and listening skills, the fundamental principles and practice of the communication process and its influence on the nurse-patient relationship. Therapeutic communication skills will focus on the use of warmth, genuineness, respect and empathy and developing self-awareness through the therapeutic use of self.
General Medical Nursing Clinical Practice
This course will continue with the principles and practices of nursing care of the older adult and build to caring for patients of all ages, enabling students to gain more advanced knowledge and ability required to care for chronic, progressive illnesses. Clinical practice occurs in a range of medical sub-acute care settings and with a variety of client populations requiring more advanced nursing care, treatment, and intervention. Students will be expected to apply previously learned theory and acquire and apply more advanced clinical skills. Students are provided with the opportunity to practice interpersonal communication skills, and physiologically oriented interventions, in a safe, and monitored environment.
Career Search Strategies
In this course, students will learn to network effectively (online and in-person), to search and apply for jobs, and to prepare targeted resumes, cover letters, and a portfolio. Students will be provided with coaching and individualized instructor feedback on their resume, cover letter, portfolio, and interview skills. Module 4 will support development of a portfolio in preparation for Module 5 in which students will role-play the interviewing process. Students will be provided with coaching and individualized feedback on their resume, cover letter, and interviewing skills. Module 6 will provide the student with the opportunity to revise their resumes and cover letters based on feedback provided.
Block Lab III
The medical surgical focused lab continues the sequencing of skills development from block lab 1 and 2, with the integration of advanced-level skills of physiological assessment and therapeutic communication skills. Additions to the curriculum include meeting competence in caring for diverse patient populations across the lifespan in an acute hospital medical setting. Students continue their demonstration of applying skills within the previous labs and clinical experiences with additional skills focusing on acute medical care such as care of post-surgical patients and/or those requiring catheterization, care of or initiation of NG tubing, care of other in situ tubing, ostomy care, advanced-level wound care, and care coordination management of the acutely ill patient. The skills demonstrated in this lab will be consolidated through the student's subsequent medical surgical clinical learning experience.
Advancing to acute care nursing and psychotropic pharmacology.
Pharmacology III: Psychotropic Pharmacology
The purpose of this course is to examine pharmacotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of psychiatric illness and the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of mental wellness in diverse individuals across the lifespan. Emphasis is on the principles of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacogenetics in the treatment of mental illness. The focus is on concepts of safe administration and monitoring the effects of psychopharmacotherapeutic agents.
Clinical Procedure IV
This course will assist you in gaining knowledge of essential psychiatric nursing procedures. You will continue to develop skills in collecting data, diagnosis recognition, assisting in the assessment, planning and implementation of nursing care plans, with a particular focus on the psychiatric patient. This 6-week online course will be followed by one week in a laboratory environment to practice skills and prepare for the clinical experience in Semester 5.
Therapeutic Relationships III: Advanced Therapeutic Communication Skills
This course continues to build upon the skills learned in Therapeutic Relationships I & II. The focus will be on assisting student to collect reliable data through a variety of health assessment tools. The various documentation techniques will be also examined. Introduction to specialized communication skills such as conflict resolution, managing resistance and the difficult client through the use of motivational interviewing and role play will be used. Specific attention will be paid to increasing self-awareness, information and knowledge, and more advanced therapeutic communication skills.
Introduction to Psychology
This theory course will introduce the many different perspectives from which psychologists try to understand human behavior. Throughout this course student will become familiar with biological, clinical, cognitive, developmental, personality, social and abnormal psychology perspectives.
Medical/Surgical Nursing Theory
This theory course will introduce the key concepts, principles, and practices of medical/surgical nursing relevant in an acute care setting with various client populations across the life span. Specific content will include problem-solving, management of complex client situations, organization of care, and a deepened understanding of the professional role of the nurse. Students will be introduced to nursing care theory pertaining to the more commonly encountered physiological conditions and diseases.
Medical/Surgical Nursing Clinical Practice
This clinical course will introduce the principles and practices of medical/surgical nursing, enabling students to consolidate and extend their knowledge and ability in acute care nursing practice. Clinical practice occurs with client populations requiring acute medical/surgical care, treatment, and intervention. Students will be expected to apply previously learned theory and clinical skills, and they will have an opportunity to learn and practice the basic psychomotor skills that are involved in providing care to the person in need of medical/surgical nursing.
Block Lab IV
The acute mental health focused lab continues sequencing of skills development from the previous labs, with the integration of holistic assessment and therapeutic communication skills for the psychiatric patient. While students are required to maintain proficiency in demonstrating the medical-focused skills from block labs 1-3, the curriculum additions include medication administration of psychotropics, integrating the nursing process into care management of the mental health client, understanding ethical and legal concepts within the psychiatric in-patient setting, demonstrating ability to provide patient education, and advocacy when required. Specialty concepts covered in block lab 4 include reviewing application of the B.C. Mental Health Act and legal processes, concurrent disorders and treatment of/ knowledge of addictions medicine, advancing therapeutic communication skills to manage and de-escalate aggression and violence within a trauma-informed and culturally safe lens. The skills demonstrated in this lab will be consolidated through the student's subsequent acute mental health clinical learning experience.
Specializing in acute mental health nursing and addictions care.
Ethics and Law in Canadian Health Care II
This course continues with concepts of ethics and law within the context of mental health care. Students will be required to begin to apply ethical and legal positions to a variety of clinical psychiatric nursing situations and the concept of the "ethical dilemma" will be used as a means to help students explore ethical structure and thought. Importantly, rather than being an exercise in academic thinking, students will be encouraged to explore how they can become an ethical practitioner. Specific focus will be on the BC Mental Health Act and the rights of patients and responsibilities that psychiatric nurses have to advocate for these individuals.
Clinical Procedure V
This course will assist you in gaining knowledge of essential psychiatric nursing procedures. You will continue to develop skills in collecting data, diagnosis recognition, assisting in the assessment, planning and implementation of nursing care plans, with a particular focus on the psychiatric patient. This 6-week online course will be followed by one week in a laboratory environment to practice skills and prepare for the clinical experience in Semester 6.
Therapeutic Relationships IV: The Group Process
Students will gain insights into the rudiments, principles, and practices of groups and group work within mental health care. They will explore how to plan, organize, participate in, and utilize a variety of groups within psychiatric/mental health nursing. The context of group relations within a social setting will be covered. Specific therapeutic factors, processes, qualities, and interventions that can be utilized within groups will also be explored. In addition, theoretical elements of groups and group work will be covered, including the stages of group development, roles within groups, aspects of group leadership/facilitation, types of groups, beginning and ending in groups, and appropriate forms and mechanisms of supervision.
Addictions: Assessment and Intervention
This course focuses on the development of skills and competencies necessary for providing psychiatric nursing care to people who are addicted to a substance or substances. The psychological, familial, and social impact of addiction is discussed. Theories for understanding addictive behaviour is presented for examination and application to psychiatric nursing practice. Students will explore and apply assessment and intervention strategies. Through examination of certain specified texts, and supplemented by additional appropriate readings, students develop an awareness of key concepts and issues related to substance use/misuse psychiatric nursing practice care including: fundamental concepts, theories on addiction, psychoactive substances and use and abuse treatment options, the treatment and recovery process, pharmacological therapies, assessment and intervention approaches in concurrent disorders, and trauma-informed practice (TIP) in addictions.
Acute Mental Health Nursing Theory
This theory course will introduce the basic principles and practices of acute psychiatric/mental health nursing. Through examination of specified readings, you will develop an awareness and knowledge of a range of important issues. The key aspect here is not to provide simplistic answers to nursing-related questions, nor is it to equip you with automatic responses to care situations and problems, but to help transform you into a more thoughtful, more critical, and more judicious practitioner.
Acute Mental Health Nursing Clinical Practice
This clinical course will introduce the principles and practices of acute psychiatric nursing, enabling you to gain the basic knowledge and ability required. Clinical practice occurs with a variety of client populations requiring acute psychiatric nursing care, treatment, and intervention. You will be expected to apply previously learned theory and begin to acquire and apply clinical skills. You will be provided with the opportunity to practice the basic interpersonal communication skills that are involved in providing care to a person in need of acute psychiatric nursing.
Career Search Strategies
In this course, students will learn to network effectively (online and in-person), to search and apply for jobs, and to prepare targeted resumes, cover letters, and a portfolio. Students will be provided with coaching and individualized instructor feedback on their resume, cover letter, portfolio, and interview skills. Module 7 will support students in continuing to add to their portfolios with consideration of new work experiences, or volunteer work with older adults or in the community. Module 8 will introduce the students to the importance of networking.
Block Lab V
The psychosocial rehabilitation and community nursing focused lab continues sequencing of skills development from the previous labs, with the integration of applying psychiatric nursing principles to the care of clients within community settings while incorporating scientific knowledge and research in the approach to practice. Students are introduced to working alongside preceptors in which advancing skills in reflective practice, demonstrating sound clinical judgment, and critical thinking processes are key areas of focus. Students continue to demonstrate application of holistic health assessments, advanced therapeutic communication skills, client care management and planning with an interprofessional community team while demonstrating understanding of accessing and utilizing health care systems and community resources on behalf of the client. The skills demonstrated in this lab will be consolidated through the student's subsequent community mental health clinical learning experience.
Focusing on psychosocial rehabilitation and research foundations.
Professional Practice and Leadership in Psychiatric Nursing: Part II
This course continues to support your growth as you work towards consolidated practice efforts. Professional Practice and Leadership remains a cornerstone upon which nurses acquire the necessary attitude, skills, and knowledge for the Registered Psychiatric nursing profession. This course will bring forward concepts related to professional identity, expertise framework, leadership, followership and the scholarship of nursing practice as you begin to focus transitioning from student to new graduate.
Clinical Procedure VI
This course will continue to build on and integrate foundational and advanced clinical practice skills. Students will also be introduced to the practice skills required in a counselling environment. This 7-week online course will be followed by one week in a laboratory environment to practice skills and prepare for the clinical experience in Semester 6. Students will be given the opportunity to role play counseling skills in various simulated scenarios.
Introduction to Nursing Research
This course will focus on the use of the research process in the development of nursing knowledge and practice. Steps of the research process are reviewed for both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Research questions are explored with regards to nursing theory including methods of data collection, analysis, and the interpretation and use of study findings in the care of individuals, families, and communities. Published, peer reviewed research reports are critically analyzed to determine the usefulness of finding in psychiatric nursing practice. The roles and responsibilities of psychiatric nurses as researchers and scholars are examined.
Sociology of Mental Health and Illness
This course will encourage you to explore sociological theories to add depth to your understanding of the Bio-psychosocial model of mental health. Knowledge of causes, effects, treatment and outcome from a sociological perspective will all be explored. You will learn about concepts that underlie a client's presentation such as the impact of childhood experience, gender differences, stigma, social class, ethnicity as well as social competence and aging.
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Psychiatric Nursing Theory
The course will introduce the basic principles and practices of psychosocial rehabilitative in psychiatric/mental health nursing care. Through examination of certain specified texts, you will develop an awareness of key issues related to psychosocial rehabilitative psychiatric nursing care including the concept of recovery, the importance of the concept of hope and ways to inspire/instill hope, the notion of empowerment, and ways to encourage individual choice. Key theories of providing care to this client group will be covered including consumer/significant other involvement, the reacquisition of life skills, community and social support systems, reducing stigma, and attention to the broader macro psychiatric nursing role.
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Mental Health Nursing Practicum
Clinical practice will enable you to extend and consolidate your knowledge and ability in the principles and practices used with client populations requiring psychosocial rehabilitative psychiatric/mental health nursing care, treatment, and intervention. You will be expected to apply previously learned theory and clinical skills, and they will be provided with the opportunity to enhance your interpersonal communication skills, and the skills, attitudes, and interventions geared towards meeting the social, intellectual/emotional, and spiritual needs of the person engaged in psychosocial rehabilitation.
Block Lab VI
The advanced acute mental health focused lab continues sequencing of skills development from the previous labs, specifically in continuing from the block lab 4 and 5 psychiatric nursing practice specialty concepts. Advanced psychiatric nursing principles will include further integration of evidence-based best practices to prepare students for higher-level psychiatric nursing clinical considerations. All case scenarios and simulation activities are a comprehensive and holistic blending of the foundational medical with the psychiatric nursing principles and practices. The skills demonstrated in this lab will be consolidated through the student's subsequent advanced acute mental health clinical learning experience.
Advanced mental health nursing and counselling skills development.
Health Policy in Canadian Nursing Practice
Learning about Canadian health policy will provide essential context material with regards to how health policy is formed and amended. It will enable students to examine how health policy has both a direct and indirect impact on psychiatric/mental health nursing practice. In considering the macro aspects of it, students will begin to critique, discuss, and consider the particular values underpinning certain health policies and their construction. Students will be encouraged to ask questions around why these policies and not others, and whose needs/interests does the policy serve?
Therapeutic Relationships V: Introduction to Counselling Skills
Students will be introduced to the rudiments, principles, and practices of the common theoretical approaches to counselling and will explore how to use counselling theory and skills within Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse practice, and the differences between formal counselling practice, working in a "counselling way", and using counselling skills. Content includes definitions of counselling, the historical origins of counselling within psychiatric/mental health nursing, and the three principle theoretical approaches: psychodynamic (psychoanalytical), cognitive-behavioural, and humanistic (person-centered). Key attitudes and skills that are associated with these approaches are setting up counselling (including contracting), values of the relationship, roles and responsibilities, negotiating boundaries, and working towards healthy endings.
Women's Studies
This course offers an introduction to women's and gender studies, an interdisciplinary field that explores critical questions regarding the meaning of gender in society. The primary goal of this course is to introduce students to the central issues in the feminist realm. The history of the feminist movement will be explored as well as key issues, questions, and debates in women's and gender studies scholarship. Students will analyze themes in a range of social spheres including law, culture, education, work, nursing, social policy and the family. Students will also explore the concept of power-to versus power-over in the education of nurses.
Advanced Mental Health Nursing Theory
The course builds on the basic principles and practices of psychiatric and mental health nursing (a good time to review material covered in previous courses!) however, focuses on special settings and contexts. Through examination of texts, and supplemented by additional appropriate literature and resources, students will develop an awareness and gain knowledge of a range of key issues. Topics will include an exploration of the Mental Health Act, developing an understanding the need for trauma-informed practice, and broadening the psychiatric nursing practice to include children and adolescents, the LGBTQ2SIA+ and Indigenous communities, medically compromised people and forensic psychiatric nursing practice. These components will assist students to engage in a thoughtful manner, critically analyzing the evidence-based knowledge to become more judicious and skilled practitioners. This will be achieved by developing the student's ability to assimilate a range of material, both theoretical and empirical, to come to their own supported conclusions regarding special populations in the psychiatric nursing context.
Advanced Mental Health Nursing Practice – Clinical
This clinical course will continue with the principles and practices of acute psychiatric nursing, enabling students to gain further knowledge and the ability required to practice in a psychiatric nursing environment. Clinical practice occurs with a variety of client populations requiring psychiatric nursing care, treatment, and intervention. You will be expected to apply previously learned theory and continue to acquire and apply clinical skills. In this final clinical course students will be provided with the opportunity to enhance the interpersonal communication skills that are involved in providing care to a person in need of psychiatric nursing within a more specialized nursing practice setting.
Block Lab VII
The consolidation lab will provide students with the opportunity to review all applied nursing concepts covered in each previously completed area of nursing clinical practice. The focus of block lab 7 is a review of competencies from a comprehensive blending of both the general medical and the psychiatric nursing practices in preparation for the final preceptorship. Students are required to demonstrate competence in general medical and mental health-focused care management through scenario-based simulations within the high-fidelity lab.
Final preparation for professional practice and licensing examination.
Personal & Professional Development
The Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Skills Certificate is a self-directed, online certificate that enhances your soft skills. The six PPD workshops cover Professionalism, Quality Service, Feedback, Diverse Teams, Conflict Resolution and Leadership. In addition to the Soft Skills Development module, you will develop your ability to work with diverse clients, patients, and colleagues through the Gender Diversity and Sexual Orientation; Disability, Neurodiversity, and Accessibility; Anti-Indigenous Racism and Indigenous Gender Diversity; and Anti-Racism modules.
Final Mental Health Preceptorship
This course enables students to consolidate and extend knowledge and ability in this area of psychiatric/mental health nursing practice. The clinical course provides you with the opportunity to work alongside a preceptor while applying all theory, attitudes, values, nursing skills, and interpersonal communication skills in a mental health setting. This clinical course prepares the student for the transition from student to new graduate and entry into the professional psychiatric nursing practice environment.
Psychiatric Nursing Exam Preparation
This 4-week course will help the student to prepare to sit the RPNC National Exam. The purpose of the supporting study material and practice exams are to help students focus on the topics that are most likely to be addressed on the exam. The course includes exam-taking strategies for computer-based testing, content review, and practice questions similar in format to those found on the national examination.
Career Search Strategies
In this course, students will learn to network effectively (online and in-person), to search and apply for jobs, and to prepare targeted resumes, cover letters, and a portfolio. Module 9 will support students in conducting their job search and updating their portfolio with information on program completion and preceptorship. Module 10 will introduce students to accessing professional resources, such as associations, unions, and learning opportunities for continuing competence as a new practicing nurse.
Student Support
- Academic tutoring
- Assessment and skill development support
- Open study skills tutorials
- Typing practice support
- One-on-one student support coaching sessions
- English language learning support
- Online learning resources
- Online academic journals and databases
- Campus life events
Stories from our Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing grads
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