We acknowledge that Manitoba is on the original lands of the Dakota, Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dené, Inuit and Métis Nation. We acknowledge that the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba is located on Treaty One territory. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, and we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past. We dedicate ourselves to moving forward in partnership with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.

Registered Psychiatric Nursing profession now regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act

Effective today, regulation of the Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) profession in Manitoba falls under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA).

“The advantages of moving the RPN profession to regulation under the RHPA include uniform and modernized rules and processes for governance, registration, complaints and discipline processes, as well as regulation and by-law making authority for all regulated health professions that fall under its legislative umbrella,” says Tracy Thiele, council chair of the CRPNM. 

Laura Panteluk, executive director/registrar of the CRPNM, adds that under this legislation, 
“Our College, its members, and the general public will benefit from greater transparency and a clearer definition of the profession’s scope of practice and RPNs’ expanded role in our healthcare system.”

New RPN regulations widen the profession’s scope of practice by establishing an RPN (Authorized Prescriber) or RPN (AP) designation. The designation will apply to RPNs with additional education who are qualified to independently order diagnostic tests and prescribe medications for specific patient populations. Both activities are Reserved Acts whose practice is otherwise restricted to specific professions under the RHPA because they pose significant risk or possible harm if performed by someone without the necessary education, competence, and skill. In addition to establishing the RPN (AP) role, the new regulations set out the Reserved Acts that members of the psychiatric nursing profession are authorized to perform and the specific terms and conditions under which RPNs can perform them.

“One of the strengths of our profession has always been the flexibility of care we are able to provide,” says Thiele. “That flexibility allows us to serve specific needs in a wide range of settings. Clarifying and expanding our scope of practice gives Manitoba RPNs more opportunities to provide meaningful support to our communities when, how, and where we are needed most.”

The Practice of Registered Psychiatric Nursing Regulation and the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba General Regulation, which both come into force today, transition the profession to the RHPA and replace the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Act. 

The CRPNM is now in the process of transferring all members to appropriate registers under the RHPA.

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For more information, contact us.

College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba

1854 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3J 0G9

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