Practice directions set out the requirements related to specific aspects of registered psychiatric nursing practice and provide more detailed information related to the Health Professions Act, Registered Psychiatric Nursing Regulations, other relevant legislation, the Standards of Psychiatric Nursing Practice and Code of Ethics.

The intent of this practice direction is to provide direction to Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs) in the use of regulated professional titles that are protected under the Health Professions Act Part 7 and the Registered Psychiatric Nurse Regulations and Schedule 25 Part 2 of the Health Professions Act

The ability to use of title is a privilege granted to registrants of a regulatory organization who have demonstrated that they possess the required educational qualifications, knowledge, skills and attributes to practice their profession.  Regulated members on the CRPNA register must use the title and designation authorized by the Registered Psychiatric Nursing Regulations.  No person or group of persons shall represent or imply that they are a regulated member of CRPNA or that the group consists of regulated members unless they are registered with CRPNA.  No person shall use the title, abbreviation or initials as outlined in the Registered Psychiatric Nursing Regulations or in any combination with other words in a manner that states or would imply that the person is a regulated member of CRPNA unless they actually hold registration status with CRPNA.

Part 7 of the Health Professions Act Title Protection describes the protected words and abbreviations to be used by a person or group of persons that imply the person is a regulated member or that the group of persons consists of regulated members of a regulatory organization.  This section also describes the term “specialist” and states (11): No regulated member shall use the term “specialist” or hold himself or herself out to be a specialist in connection with providing a health service unless the regulated member is authorized to use the term “specialist” by a Schedule to this Act or by regulation made under section 131 or by a bylaw made under section 132 or as otherwise authorized by council.

A regulated member of the CRPNA may, as authorized by the regulations, use any of the following titles, abbreviations and initials:

• Registered Psychiatric Nurse
• Psychiatric nurse
• RPN
• PN

CRPNA authorizes the use of the term “specialist” in the provision of professional services in accordance with the following:

Regulated members must comply with the Health Professions Act and the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Professional Regulation requirements to use the term “specialist”.

The regulated member must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a valid practice permit
• Have three or more years of full time experience in the specific clinical practice area where they currently practice.
• Have a graduate degree applicable to the specific area of clinical practice and uses this expertise in a specific clinical practice area in the provision of professional services.

A number of regulated members in various roles may have the title specialist in their job description or job title.  To use this title alone or in combination with other words requires the RPN to meet the criteria outlined above.

The RPN authorized to use the title “specialist” is an individual whose practice is focused in a specific clinical practice area and meets the criteria approved by CRPNA.  The area of practice may be related to the following:

• Age or specific population
• Specific issue (disease) or subspecialty
• Type of care or health problem