Registered Psychiatric Nursing Diploma program in Alberta?

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Hello!

At Grant Macewan in Edmonton, Alberta, they offer a Registered Psychiatric Nursing Diploma program. Because I am really interested in mental health, I am considering this over the BScN.

I am having a dilemma though. I do not want to live in Alberta all of my life and I have been told that the registered psychiatric nursing programs are only recognized in Western Canada. Furthermore, they have RPN programs in BC, but they are 4 year bachelor programs whereas the one in Alberta is only 2.5 years. I am unsure if it would transfer even with job experience?

If anyone could shed some light on this, it'd be appreciated. I've also been told they get paid the same as well. Is this true?

Thanks for your help.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Yes those programs are only recognized in Western Canada. If you moved to a province any further east it wouldn't be of any use.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Agreed. There are psych nurses in Alberta, Manitoba and BC who have taken the degree program geared to psychiatric nursing, so you would be competing with them as well.

There aren't very many psychiatric nursing degree programs, but I do know that Manitoba for example has a couple, because my friend is a degree psych nurse from Manitoba.

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