Web Site: www.rpnaa.ab.ca
The RPNAA is the regulatory body for the profession of Registered Psychiatric Nursing in the Province of Alberta.
What is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse?
Psychiatric Nursing, as a distinct profession, provides service to individuals whose primary care needs relate to mental and developmental health. The core skills and knowledge of psychiatric nursing are developed from the nursing, psychobiological, and physical sciences. The basis of psychiatric nursing is a caring, therapeutic relationship. Caring includes empathy, acknowledgement of the uniqueness of the individual, a non-judgemental attitude, respect for the rights, beliefs, and values of others; and a willingness to share, learn and grow. Psychiatric nursing focuses on the influence of psychosocial forces on health while committed to the promotion, restoration, and maintenance of optimal health.
What is the Regulatory Role of the RPNAA?
The primary role of the RPNAA is to protect the public. This responsibility is delegated to the Association by the Alberta government in regards to Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Registered Mental Deficiency Nurses. As a self governing profession, we work within the parameters of the Health Disciplines Act and the Psychiatric Nurses Regulations to ensure the services provided by RPNAA members benefit the citizens of the province and are not a risk to their safety. The RPNAA carries out it’s role by establishing Standards of Practice and a Code of Ethics and by ensuring new members meet the minimum requirements for safe practice. The RPNAA is required to ensure existing members maintain their competence in practice and remain safe practitioners. This is currently monitored by requiring members to work a minimum of 1550 hours within the Scope of Practice of their profession within a five year period immediately prior to submitting an application for renewal of their registration. The Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics are enforced through a discipline process put in place by the RPNAA based on guidelines set out in the Health Disciplines Act.
These obligations placed on us as a self governing health profession are carried out by members of the profession that volunteer their time and effort. These individuals are interested in ensuring that the profession maintains its status as a self governing profession by meeting its obligations and requirements under the Act.