Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing The next start for our Regional Psychiatric Nursing Diploma program is January 2011 in the following regions (*subject to change): • Greater Victoria • North Vancouver Island (Nanaimo, Alberni, Campbell River, Comox, Cowichan) • Greater Vancouver • Kamloops • Okanagan (Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton) • Northern BC (Prince George, Dawson Creek, Quesnel, Vanderhoof) • Kootenays (Castlegar, Trail, Nelson and Grand Forks) Call 1-87-STENBERG to speak with a Program Advisor about this program. The Need For Online Programs According to data compiled by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (2007), approximately 17.9% of the nursing workforce is situated in what is termed ‘rural and remote’ areas of Canada. The vast majority of these nurses are unwilling and/or unable to leave their local areas in order to engage in education programs. This demographic, educational ‘picture’ is self-evident if one examines the situation in British Columbia where, previously, the only pre-registration psychiatric nursing educational programs available were both in the Vancouver area. As an attempt to help remedy this untenable situation, in 2006, the Regional Online Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing offered by Stenberg College received approval to run its first cohort of students and this is the first and only such program in Canada. The program runs for twenty three months, during which time students undertake 1080 hours of clinical practice (80 hours more than the stipulated requirement, CRPNBC, 2007) most often in their own local areas. Students also undertake 560 hours of psychiatric nursing theory courses (60 more than the stipulated requirement), 280 hours of general nursing theory courses (55 more than the stipulated requirement) and 180 hours of applied equivalents and/or related course hours (Stenberg College, 2007). However, what is unique about this program is that all the theory courses are delivered as online courses. Apart from a two day ‘Orientation’ at the beginning of the program, there is no ‘traditional’, face-to-face delivery of the theory courses. In April 2008, the program produced its first graduating class of 28 successful graduates. Each of these graduates sat their registration exams (in various regions around the province) and, we are delighted to report, achieved a 100% pass rate Furthermore, within 4 weeks of graduation, 96% are now registered psychiatric nurses and have already secured employment as nurses. Our second graduating class also had the same success with 100% of them passing the registration exam. Psychiatric Nursing Careers in Canada Canada is going through a significant nursing shortage, which is all the more acute in psychiatric nursing. In British Columbia, there is a need for more Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN), particularly outside the urban areas of the province. The workforce is aging – the average age of a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in BC is 47 years. The number of retirees from the profession is exceeding the number of graduates. Moreover, just over 90% of Registered Psychiatric Nurses live in urban areas of BC. At the same time as the concerns about the shortage of RPNs have been expressed, mental health services in the province have been reorganizing and are expanding (e.g. the merger of Addictions with Mental Health). This leads to a further need for psychiatric nurses, resulting in the vacancies we see today (Health Match BC, 2005). Potential Employers As a Regional Psychiatric Nurse, you could work in a: Health authority, such as hospitals Mental heath & addiction program Inpatient and Community service Forensic Service Department School Group home & Clubhouse Not-for-profit organization Nursing Education Programs Is This Program for You? It is if you: have particular attributes in communicating effectively with others are committed to life-long learning and to personal and professional development would like to make a meaningful contribution to others, to your community, and to society Wages and Career Outlook Wage and career outlook information is difficult to predict. Unlike other occupations, opportunities in healthcare are driven by current government policy rather than the business cycle. However, BC Work Futures is generally positive about the career prospects for nurses. Typically, Registered Psychiatric Nurses’ entry level earnings start at $29.02 per hour, reaching a top increment of $38.10 per hour. Some RPNs, such as Forensic Psychiatric Nurses, earn more. Use the following sites to obtain more career information. The related national occupation classification number – a system used to group jobs – is "3152.” Please realize that these figures are based on groupings of a large number of related jobs. Wages and career outlook may differ due to your education level, job location, and the type of employer. The following list shows some other sources for career research. By no means is this a comprehensive list, but it is a place to start: College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of BC BC Work Futures Alberta Occupational Profiles Fraser Health Authority Vancouver Coastal Health Provincial Government Job bank BC Mental Health and Addiction Service Forensic Regional Services  Duration and Financing Duration: 23 months Financing: You could be eligible for ELMS funding, government student loans and other financing options; the Stenberg College Financial Aid Officer would be happy to provide further assistance. Prerequisites Applicants for the RDPN program must complete the following: Attend an information session via tele-conference Submit an application form Successfully complete the on-line entrance essay assignment Provide an up-to-date resume Provide 2 written professional references In addition to the above, provide proof of having met the following pre-requisites: For High school graduates (under 19 yrs): Graduation from Grade 12 with a C+ average Grade 12 English (minimum grade B)* Grade 12 Biology (minimum grade C) Grade 10 Math (minimum grade C) Grade 10 Science (minimum grade C) Or For Mature Students (19 years+) Grade 12 English (minimum grade B)* Grade 12 Biology (minimum grade C) Grade 10 Math or Science (minimum grade C) Or For LPN’s applying for the RDPN Access program: Copy of Licensing as a Practical Nurse Proof of the equivalent of 2 years full-time Work Experience as an LPN * Note: English requirements may be obtained by alternative means such as evidence of Post-Secondary studies at an equivalent level where English was the first language or completion of an acceptable English assessment equivalency test - TOEFL, IELTS, LPI or an ICES Evaluation As there are limited seats available in each cohort area, there is a preferential admission criteria in place to assist in the selection of the most qualified candidates. Preference is given to those candidates with volunteer or work experience in a health related field. To put this forward for consideration, you must submit written proof with confirmation of hours completed from the volunteer organization or employer. Students with post-secondary education in any field are also encouraged to put forward original transcripts of the highest credential completed for additional consideration. These must be original transcripts sent directly from the educational institute to us. All documents for evaluation for preferential admission should be submitted along with the rest of the application package. Once all of the above applicable information is submitted, applicants may require an individual interview. Upon successful completion of all the above, applications will be put forward for final selection for a seat in the following available intake. Once selected, Students are then eligible for registration based on the understanding that the following are still due prior to the first day of class: Acceptable Canadian Criminal Record Check within 3 months of the program start Medical Verification of Good Health from a Physician within 3 months of the program start Current Immunization Status as required by the health authorities Tetanus, Hep B, TB test, Polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Varicella (Chicken Pox) Program Outline This Diploma program will prepare individuals to work in a variety of mental health areas, providing psychiatric nursing services to the public. The program is also delivered in a format which allows students to graduate in 101 weeks while still remaining in their home communities. The curriculum includes lab, online courses, tutorial and clinical experiences, provided and supervised by experienced and qualified psychiatric nursing instructors. The successful completion of this program will provide the individual with a Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing from Stenberg College and make them eligible to write the CRPNBC Registration exams By virtue of attaining their RPN status graduates are eligible to apply to various Universities for continued degree completion if they so chose. Clinical Hours The student will spend approximately 1100 hours training on site in mental health and medical settings. Course Code Course Name Semester PSYN 101-6 Basic Concepts and Contexts of Psychiatric Nursing 1 PSYN 103-6 Therapeutic Relationships and Communication Skills 1 NURS 101-3 Study Skills 1 NURS 102-3 Anatomy and Physiology 1 PSYN 104-3 Clinical Supervision 1 NURS 103-3 Pathophysiological Concepts 2 FNTS 101-1 Introduction to Aboriginal Peoples in Canada 2 PSYN 105-3 Pharmacology 2 PSYN 112-3 Psychiatric Care of the Older Adult Theory 2 PSYN 122-6 Psychiatric Care of the Older Adult Clinical Practice 2 ELEC 100-3 Psychodrama 2 PHIL 101-3 An Introduction to Philosophy 3 NURS 104-3 Ethics and Law in Health Care 3 NURS 105-3 An Introduction to Psychology 3 PSYN 111-3 Acute Psychiatric Nursing Theory 3 PSYN 121-6 Acute Psychiatric Nursing Clinical Practice 3 ELEC 110-3 Neuro-linguistic Programming 3 FNTS 201-3 First Nations Health 4 NURS 202-3 Introduction to Nursing Research 4 PSYN 201-3 Introduction to Counseling 4 NURS 201-3 Medical / Surgical Nursing Theory 4 NURS 212-6 Medical / Surgical Nursing Clinical Practice 4 PSYN 203-3 Working in Groups 5 PSYN 204-3 Health Policy 5 PSYN 202-3 Psychosocial Rehabilitation Psychiatric Nursing Theory 5 PSYN 212-6 Psychosocial Rehabilitation Psychiatric Nursing Clinical Practice 5 ELEC 120-3 Sociology of Mental Health & illness 5 PSYN 205-3 Substance Use / Misuse Psychiatric Nursing Theory 6 PSYN 206-3 Special Interest Area Psychiatric Nursing Theory 6 PSYN 215-6 Substance Use / Misuse Psychiatric Nursing Clinical Practice 6 PSYN 216-6 Special Interest Area Psychiatric Nursing Clinical Practice 6 PSYN 220 Psychiatric Nursing Exam Preparation — Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing – Special Access for LPNs Experienced LPNs are encouraged to apply and may be eligible for advanced standing in the program through Stenberg’s Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Process (PLAR). The program is delivered in a format which allows students to graduate in 101 weeks while still remaining in their home communities. The curriculum includes lab, online courses, tutorial and clinical experiences, provided and supervised by experienced and qualified psychiatric nursing instructors. The successful completion of this program will provide the individual with a Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing from Stenberg College and make them eligible to write the CRPNBC Registration exams. By virtue of attaining their RPN status graduates are eligible to apply to various Universities for continued degree completion if they so chose. Clinical Hours The ACCESS student will spend approximately 900 hours training onsite in mental health settings. Course Code Course Name Semester PSYN 101-6 Basic Concepts and Contexts of Psychiatric Nursing 1 PSYN 103-6 Therapeutic Relationships and Communication Skills 1 NURS 101-3 Study Skills 1 PSYN 109-6 Psychiatric Nursing Bridge-In Course (for LPN’s) 1 PSYN 104-3 Clinical Supervision 1 FNTS 101-1 Introduction to Aboriginal Peoples in Canada 2 PSYN 105-3 Pharmacology 2 PSYN 112-3 Psychiatric Care of the Older Adult Theory 2 PSYN 122-6 Psychiatric Care of the Older Adult Clinical Practice 2 PHIL 101-3 An Introduction to Philosophy 3 NURS 104-3 Ethics and Law in Health Care 3 NURS 105-3 An Introduction to Psychology 3 PSYN 111-3 Acute Psychiatric Nursing Theory 3 PSYN 121-6 Acute Psychiatric Nursing Clinical Practice 3 FNTS 201-3 First Nations Health 4 NURS 202-3 Introduction to Nursing Research 4 PSYN 201-3 Introduction to Counseling 4 PSYN 203-3 Working in Groups 5 PSYN 204-3 Health Policy 5 PSYN 202-3 Psychosocial Rehabilitation Psychiatric Nursing Theory 5 PSYN 212-6 Psychosocial Rehabilitation Psychiatric Nursing Clinical Practice 5 ELEC 120-3 Sociology of Mental Health & illness 5 PSYN 205-3 Substance Use / Misuse Psychiatric Nursing Theory 6 PSYN 206-3 Special Interest Area Psychiatric Nursing Theory 6 PSYN 215-6 Substance Use / Misuse Psychiatric Nursing Clinical Practice 6 PSYN 216-6 Special Interest Area Psychiatric Nursing Clinical Practice 6 PSYN 220 Psychiatric Nursing Exam Preparation — Quick Links: Psychiatric Nursing: Program Courses Psychiatric Nursing: Top Reasons to Choose Stenberg

Regional Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses Fraser Health Health Match BC Interior Health Internet Mental Health Northern Health Provincial Health Services Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Vancouver Coastal Health Vancouver Island Health