Graduates from Alberta or other jurisdictions who have not yet registered as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) in their home jurisdiction (province) and wish to apply for registration to practice as an PN in Alberta.
Applications for a Provisional Permit can be made prior to program completion. A Provisional Permit is valid for 6 months from the time of issue, and allows new graduates who have completed an approved psychiatric nursing program to practice while they are waiting to write the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada (RPNC) Examination.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS AND HOW TO MEET THEM
- Applicants supporting documents must be authentic and be provided in English. If these documents are in a language other than English, applicants must have them translated into English.
- Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with the application and supporting documentation.
- For ongoing audit procedures, at any time, the College may request original documentation to support the application.
- CRPNA provides staff and the registration committee with training in all areas that are relevant to make fair and effective registration decisions.
- CRPNA maintains a policy and procedure manual for staff to ensure applicants are provided with fair, defensible, and consistent decision-making.
- CRPNA uses registration criteria to assess applications to make fair and effective registration decisions.
REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR ONLINE APPLICATION
REQUIREMENT
Applicants must provide proof of identification and current contact details.
An applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirements by:
- providing personal information and contact details by answering all mandatory application fields and, they can show their identity by providing 2 pieces of CLEAR and VISIBLE identification documents such as:
- Birth Certificate; or
- Driver's License; or
- Passport; or
- Valid Indian Status or Métis Citizenship card; or
- Authentic, valid and current government-issued photo identification.
If an applicant's legal name is different than the name on any of their application verification documents, they must include a copy of legal documents that verify their name change. Example: a marriage certificate or a legal name change.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
If an applicant does not have the required proof of identity, they still have options. They can provide a statutory declaration confirming their identity.
Note: All documents written in a language other than English are required to be translated by a professional translator showing their signature and seal, and must be submitted with a copy of the original document.
REQUIREMENT
An applicant must obtain a criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector check.
An applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirements by:
- providing a copy of the results of their criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector check completed by their local police service dated within the six (6) months before submitting their application for registration.
NOTE:
*3rd party criminal record checks are not accepted
*Any Police Information Check / Criminal Record Check over 6 months WILL NOT be accepted.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
If an applicant from another country is not able to obtain a criminal record check with a vulnerable sector check, they still have options. They can provide:
- proof that they requested a criminal record check from the correct authorities and a letter explaining all the efforts they have taken to get one; or
- proof of employment in psychiatric nursing in a prior country
Criteria Used To Assess The Requirement
This requirement is assessed using the Health Professions Act, Part 2, Registration, Application for registration 28(1)(h).
REQUIREMENT
Registered psychiatric nursing practice requires English language skills in the four domains of communicative competence: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Pursuant to the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta Psychiatric Nursing Regulation, applicants for registration on the Psychiatric Nurse provisional register must establish that they meet the English proficiency criteria established by council.
An applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement by:
- Education
Successful completion of an approved psychiatric nursing education program in Canada where the language of instruction used for theory and any clinical and practicum experiences was English. Psychiatric nursing education programs in Canada may include bridging, refresher, and re-entry programs.
- Registration
Eligible to be registered in another Canadian jurisdiction.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
There are no alternative means of meeting this requirement.
REQUIREMENT
All applicants must participate in the Continuing Competence Program (CCP). Click here for program requirements.
An applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement by:
- completing the CCP Enhancement Plan along with the appropriate section A, B, C and/or D. Applicants do not need to submit with their application; however, if the Registrar/Deputy Registrar requests it, the applicant must be able to provide this completed document; and
- answering "Yes" to the attestation statement on the application form.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
There are no alternative means of meeting this requirement.
REQUIREMENT
All applicants who apply to register to practice in Alberta must complete the College’s approved prevention training on sexual abuse and sexual misconduct toward patients.
Training Access
Click HERE to access the Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Modules. There is no cost to take this training. Modules take approximately one and a half to two hours to complete
An applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement by:
- providing a copy of the certificate of successful completion of the Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct modules.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
There are no alternative means of meeting this requirement.
REQUIREMENT
The Health Professions Act and College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA) Bylaws require that all applicants for registration hold Professional Liability Insurance (PLI). Council has determined that PLI in the amount of no less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence is mandatory.
PLI has two purposes: Protection of the public and protection of the PN/RPN.
An applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement by:
- An applicant must attest to having PLI by completing the mandatory application fields and uploading proof of PLI documents.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
There are no alternative means of meeting this requirement.
REQUIREMENT
An applicant must be eligible to sit the next Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNC Exam) or have successfully completed RPNC Exam prior to application for registration.
An applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement by:
- providing confirmation of eligibility from one of the other three regulatory bodies in Canada; or
- providing proof of an approved RPNC exam application
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
There are no alternative means of meeting this requirement.
REQUIREMENT
Applicants must be competent in the practice of psychiatric nursing. This includes completing an education program approved by the College. Visit the CRPNA website here for a list of approved education programs.
An applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirements by:
- the approved education program providing confirmation of program completion, or;
- providing verification of eligibility for registration from another jurisdiction.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
There are no alternative means of meeting this requirement.
REQUIREMENT
If an applicant is born outside of Canada, they must be lawfully permitted to work in Canada.
An applicant can demonstrate that they meet the requirement by:
- providing a copy of:
- Citizenship certificate or card; or
- Authentic, valid, and current Canadian passport; or
- Permanent resident card; or
- Canadian work permit.
ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF MEETING THE REQUIREMENT
There are no alternative means of meeting this requirement.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply to the college for a Provisional Permit or to apply for eligiblity to write the RPNC Exam an applicant must have completed the steps above and recieved approval from the college.
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PROVISIONAL PERMIT SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS
PROVISIONAL PERMIT SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS
PROVISIONAL PERMIT SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS
A Provisional Permit holder can practice only while supervised in a manner satisfactory to the Registrar or Registration Committee. Defined as:
- Not to be in charge of a unit or work alone on a night shift;
- May use the title "Psychiatric Nurse" or initial "PN".
Supervision can be direct or indirect remote:
- Indirect remote supervision: a Regulated Nurse provides the supervision and is readily available by phone or on another adjacent unit;
- This means a Regulated Nurse is on the unit or in the same location for guidance and consultation but is not directly at the side of the PN (graduated psychiatric nurse). In community health settings or in home care, the Regulated Nurse must be physically present in the clinic setting or in the client’s home.
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