Registered psychiatric nurses provide health services to people in a variety of settings. Their focus is on the mental and developmental health of people within the context of their overall health and life situation.

RPNs are employed in settings that cover all areas where people live, work and play. This includes school programs, occupational health programs, community mental health programs, substance abuse and addiction programs, long-term, geriatric and home-care programs, residential and community programs for children and adolescents and for persons with developmental disabilities, acute-care hospitals, clinics, crisis teams and suicide-prevention programs, outreach programs, palliative-care programs, correctional and forensic programs, and psycho-social rehabilitation programs.

Licensing process in Manitoba

This profession is regulated in Manitoba by the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba.

Note: The college conducts the licensing process in English only. Thus, all requested documents must be translated into English.

To practise registered psychiatric nursing in Manitoba you must:

• have graduated from a psychiatric nursing program that meets the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba criteria for classroom and clinical hours
• be registered with the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba

You must complete the following steps:

STEP 1: Contact the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba and tell them you are an internationally educated RPN and would like information on how to become licensed to practise in Manitoba.

College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba
1854 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3J 0G9
Phone: 204-888-4841
Fax: 204-888-8638
E-mail: crpnm@crpnm.mb.ca
Website: crpnm.mb.ca

STEP 2: Complete the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba application form to have your qualifications and eligibility evaluated.

You must submit the following:

• proof of identity
• criminal record check and child abuse registry check
• confirmation of registration in good standing and eligibility to practise in the country you are currently licensed*
• proof of work experience*
• proof of graduation, transcripts, syllabi, exam results, description of course work*
• verification of qualifications by the International Qualifications Assessment Service
• employer reference
• current resumé
• proof of English language competency
• application fee: C$210

* If documents are not in English, notarized translations are required.

STEP 3: Upon approval of your application complete the registration examination (C$200).

STEP 4: When all requirements have been met and fees paid, you will be issued a registration certificate, which proves your right to practise as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in Manitoba.

Additional information

For more information visit College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba > Internationally Educated Applicants

College registration costs about C$400 for a full year.

Language: As part of your work, you are required to have intermediate or advanced English language skills in the four basic language areas - listening, speaking and reading and writing comprehension. Therefore, you should be able to:

• participate in discussions of a complex nature
• share your thoughts clearly
• understand technical documents
• write reports in English with confidence

Revised October 2011

Assistance for newcomers in Manitoba

• Communication and bridging programs for professionals
• Financial help to pursue professional licence
• Recent immigrants talk about how they found jobs in nursing
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