Competencies for Registered Psychiatric Nurses 
in Canada
Entry-level registered psychiatric nurses in Canada have a 
specialized body of knowledge of mental health and mental health disorders.o They practise as a self-regulated profession and practise 
according to federal/provincial/ territorial legislation 
and regulation.o Psychiatric nursing education programs prepare entrylevel Registered Psychiatric Nurses to practise safely, 
competently and ethically in a variety of practice settings, in situations of health and illness, and with 
diverse populations of individuals, families, groups and 
community
o They enter practice with competencies that are transferable across practice settings, even though their psychiatric nursing education program may not have exposed 
them to all practice environments or client types.o They practise autonomously, and continue to consolidate theoretical and experiential learning through 
collaboration, mentoring and support from the interprofessional team.