psychiatric nursing

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Hi everyone i have a question. I am currently a PN student in BC, Canada and I was wondering if they allow LPN to work in the hospital on the psychiatric unit. If they do then can you please tell me what their job description is. If they are not allowed then can someone please tell me what route I need to take to be a RPN! Thank you.

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Some psych units hire people to work as psych assistants - they have a variety of educational backgrounds (not necessarily in nursing).

On a psych unit the nursing staff facilitate groups of patients, offer one-to-one sessions, remind patients to come and get their medications, prepare some patients for ECT, prepare care plans, take turns doing close observation (q 15 minutes for the patients who are at risk for suicide, who are new to the unit, etc), respond to codes when there is a crisis with a patient, etc

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

As this is asking something specific to Canada moving to Canadian forum

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

I'm sure fiona59, our resident expert in all things related to the Canadian LPN scope of practice and employment will be along soon to answer your questions.

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No expert, just been around.

Not too sure about BC. In Alberta, LPNs are working at Alberta Hospita and on the Psych units at RAH and Geri Psych at the Glenrose, there a few day psych programmes as well. Previously the only position had been psych aides but about 18 months ago, they began utilizing LPNs at AH. There is an extra educational certificate in Mental Health with subspecialities in either adult or geri psych that can be obtained from Mt. Royal via distance ed in Calgary.

The old "nursing shortage" was the reason given for the hiring. Pay is the same as any LPN position in the region.

So maybe BC will go this route as well. The only way to know for sure is to call the local psych units and find out.

It's pretty much as described above, meds, group sessions, participation in activities. The LPNs that I've met that do it, love it.

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