Can BC Psychiatric RPN work as RN/RPN Travel Nurse?

DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN · Sep 3, 2023

I don't know specifically about US Travel nursing, but my general advice is this:

Very few countries have nursing programmes leading to registration specifically in just psychiatry or just paediatrics, however I came from one of them (the UK) and these nurses found themselves blocked on an international level. Whilst in the UK a psychiatric nurse (in the old days RMN) or a paediatric nurse (in the old days RSCN) was recognised as a qualified nurse within their field, if they weren't doubly qualified with the general RGN qualification they WEREN'T and still aren't recognised as qualified nurses in most other countries.

Here in France, as in most countries, there is just one registeration, a general training where you do psych and paeds as a one module speciality but largely a general adult training. On qualifying you are considered a comprehensive registered nurse. I'm a British trained general nurse and here, as in many countries, I can work in ANY speciality including paeds or psych, whereas a British trained phych nurse or paediatric nurse can not, unless they are RN trained in addition.

This is how it tends to work in most countries which have a single registration. My advice would be if you have the chance to do RN training do it. You will have greater possibilities abroad. If at a later date you want to specialise in psych, you can do so, even if in some countries (like the UK and I imagine Canada?) you might need to do further specialist training.

For international travel RN is usually best. Perhaps US nurses can advise you on the US specific requirements? It would surprise me if a 2 year psych only qualification met US RN standards??

Liisa444 BSc · Jan 1

When I was looking at nursing programs I had looked at Stenberg College. I am also a mental health worker. I finally decided to get my RN instead as it would open up way more doors globally and you can still work in mental health if you want.