Registered Psychiatric Nurse Career Profile
What is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse?
A Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) is a health-care professional who provides holistic, patient-centered care that supports both the physical and psychological well-being of patients. Key responsibilities include conducting assessments, administering medications, developing and implementing care plans, providing therapeutic communication and education, and evaluating patient progress to support overall health and well-being.
RPNs also play an important role in care coordination, crisis intervention, and promoting safe, effective care. They further support complex health needs, addressing behavioral and safety concerns, assisting families and caregivers, facilitating transitions across care settings, and promoting quality of life. RPNs may work in a variety of settings, including inpatient mental health units, addictions services, community mental health programs, correctional facilities, forensic psychiatry, continuing care, and home care. Overall, RPNs are essential members of multidisciplinary teams and play a key role in delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care.
What is it like working as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA)?
As a Registered Psychiatric Nurse in Saskatchewan, no two days are the same. You may support a resident in long-term care, help a client manage their mental health in the community, provide care in home care, or work on a specialized mental health unit. RPNs combine physical and mental health nursing skills to provide holistic, patient-centred care across the health-care system.
RPNs typically work rotating shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and statutory holidays, to ensure continuous care. The work can be fast-paced and unpredictable, requiring strong communication, critical thinking, and crisis management skills.
Many RPNs value:
- Building long-term therapeutic relationships with patients and residents.
- Helping people through difficult life circumstances and recovery journeys.
- Using both nursing and mental health skills every day.
- Working as part of multidisciplinary health-care teams.
- Having opportunities to work in diverse practice areas and advance into leadership, education, or management roles.
Graduate Psychiatric Nurse (Grad Nurse) opportunities are available for new graduates who are waiting to write their licensing exam or receive results. The SHA supports ongoing professional development and provides opportunities to work in a variety of settings across Saskatchewan.
RPNs typically work rotating shifts, including days, nights, weekends, and statutory holidays, to ensure continuous care. The work can be fast-paced and unpredictable, requiring strong communication, critical thinking, and crisis management skills.
There are many opportunities for career growth within the SHA. RPNs can build expertise across a variety of practice areas, including forensic psychiatry, community mental health, addictions, continuing care, and home care. Opportunities also exist to move into leadership roles, education, or management positions.
Graduate Psychiatric Nurse (Grad Nurse) opportunities are available for new graduates who are waiting to write their licensing exam or receive results. The SHA supports ongoing professional development and provides opportunities to work in a variety of settings across Saskatchewan.
Learn more from our staff!
What can I earn as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse?
The current pay per hour is listed below:
- Grad Psychiatric Nurse – $33.30
- Nurse A - $38.58 - $50.07
- Nurse B - $42.04 - 52.44
- Nurse C - $45.83 - $56.14
In addition to salary, the SHA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Extended health and dental benefits
- Defined-benefit pension plan
- Life and disability insurance
- MyWellbeing resiliency resources, mental health, and family supports
- Paid annual vacation
Recruitment incentives and relocation assistance of up to $11,500 may be available depending on location.
The Government of Saskatchewan Rural & Remote Recruitment Incentive of up to $50,000 may be available based on eligibility criteria. To learn more about additional Government of Saskatchewan Recruitment Incentives for Registered Psychiatric Nurse, please see the Provincial and Federal Government Incentives section on out Benefits & Incentives page.
Registered Psychiatric Nurses working with the SHA are unionized and are members of the following union:
How do I become a Registered Psychiatric Nurse?
To become an RPN in Saskatchewan, you must complete an approved Psychiatric Nursing diploma or degree program. In Saskatchewan, this program is offered by:
Saskatchewan Polytechnic – Psychiatric Nursing Program
After completing the program, you must:
1. Apply for registration with the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRPNS)
2. Pass the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE)
New graduates may begin working as a Graduate Psychiatric Nurse before completing their licensing exam.
