Registered psychiatric nurses practise in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings and provide services to individuals whose primary care needs relate to mental and developmental health.

The basis of psychiatric nursing is a caring, therapeutic relationship; the core knowledge and skills of psychiatric nursing are developed from the nursing, psycho-social, biological and physical sciences.

Psychiatric nursing practice includes clinical, administrative, educational, consultative and research functions. The governing body for the profession in BC is the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of British Columbia (CRPNBC). HSA represents more than 800 RPNs working in 83 acute-care, long-term care, mental health and home support facilities and agencies across BC.

• College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of British Columbia