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Legislated scopes of practice across Canada: Registered psychiatric nurses

  Back to Health workforce scopes of practice

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  Man. Sask.* Alta. B.C.
Assessment and therapeutic management
Refer to other health professionals Full Restricted Restricted –
Order X-rays Restricted Out of scope Restricted Restricted
Communicate diagnoses and test results to patients Full Restricted Restricted Out of scope
Treatments/interventions
Perform an electrocardiogram Full Full Out of scope Full
Apply cast Out of scope Out of scope Out of scope Out of scope
Apply restraints Full Full Full Restricted
Conduct mental health screening Full Full Full Full
Conduct substance use screening Full Full Full Full
Pharmacotherapy
Prescribe pharmacotherapy Restricted Out of scope Restricted Restricted
Prescribe controlled substances Out of scope Out of scope Out of scope Restricted
Administer vaccines Full Full Restricted Restricted
Other
Independently manage labour and delivery Out of scope Out of scope Out of scope Out of scope    
Pronounce death Full Full Full Restricted
Admit to long-term care facilities Out of scope Out of scope Out of scope Out of scope
Hold disease management clinics (foot care, diabetes)  Full Restricted Full Full

Notes

This publication presents the status of selected scopes of practice for registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) in participating provinces and territories as of December 2021. Any updates made to scopes after December 2021 are not reflected. For the status of additional scope items, please refer to Health Workforce Scopes of Practice in Canada, 2021 — Data Tables (XLSX).
* RPN legislation in Saskatchewan does not specifically define the scope of practice for RPNs. RPNs can perform activities within their education and training for the purposes of providing care, promoting health and preventing illness. They cannot perform activities that are deemed protected in legislation related to another type of health professional (e.g., physician) or activities that are prohibited by other legislation/regulations. 
— Data is not available or not applicable.
Scopes of practice for RPNs are not legislated in Yukon. RPNs in Yukon must practise nursing within the confines of their knowledge and abilities, and in accordance with any restrictions on their licence.
RPNs are currently regulated in the 4 Western provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia) and Yukon. 
Full scope of practice refers to legislation allowing health care professionals to perform the identified activity without any constraints. 
Restricted scope of practice refers to legislation limiting or reducing the ability of health care professionals to perform the identified activity. Limitations include requirements for additional education or training, an order or prescription from another health care professional specifying the work to be done, and other limitations on the performance of the activity.
Out of scope refers to legislation prohibiting health care professionals from performing the identified activity.
For additional context and information regarding data on scopes of practice, please refer to Health Workforce Scopes of Practice, 2021 — Interpretive Notes (PDF). 

Source

Regulatory bodies for RPNs in Canada.

  Back to Health workforce scopes of practice

How to cite:

Canadian Institute for Health Information. Legislated scopes of practice across Canada: Registered psychiatric nurses. Accessed April 25, 2025.