Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing (BPN) Degree Completion Program Frequently Asked Questions

Psychiatric nursing is a distinct profession that provides you with the opportunity to work with clients with mental illness, psychiatric disorders and developmental and/or cognitive difficulties to function at their maximum potential. As a registered psychiatric nurse (RPN) you have gained invaluable experience in delivering quality psychiatric nursing services. The BPN Degree Completion program will provide you with the most contemporary and evidence-informed practices in psychiatric nursing. You will gain additional knowledge, skills, values and attitudes necessary to work in a wide variety of mental health settings and the standards and competencies related to clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offered the psychiatric nursing diploma program from 1972 to 1996 and again from 2008 to the present. The Saskatchewan Polytechnic Leslie and Irene Dubé School of Nursing is also a leader in reaching students where they live through various delivery modalities and technological innovations.

Nursing faculty are experienced in a wide range of programming, including baccalaureate education and advanced education for RNs and RPNs. By teaching in both classroom and clinical practice settings, faculty assist students in linking theory with practice.

The BPN Degree Completion program prepares diploma prepared RPNs with additional contemporary knowledge, evidence-informed practices, skills, values and attitudes required at a baccalaureate level to work in a wide variety of mental health settings including clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research.

The program is offered as a part-time program, with one or two courses per term. The BPN Degree Completion program for graduates of 2010 and beyond is completed over six terms or two years. The program has 30 credits, with 576 hours over 76 weeks.

The BPN Degree Completion program for graduates prior to 2010 is completed over eight terms or 2.5 years. The program has 38 credits, with 696 hours over 97 weeks.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is granting the degree of Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing. The BPN program is Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s first degree program offering.

As required by Saskatchewan legislation, this new program is approved by the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan (RPNAS). The RPNAS has granted conditional approval, which represents the highest level of approval possible for a new program.

This program is offered with the written authorization of the Minister of Advanced Education effective July 1, 2013. This authorization was provided after the program proposal underwent a quality assurance review and was found to meet the standards established by the Minister. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and degree will be appropriate to their needs.

No, students enrolled in the BPN degree completion programs are not required to write the RPNCE as they are already registered with the RPNAS and eligible to practice as a RPN.

There is reciprocity in the western provinces and territories related to psychiatric nursing education.

There is only one graduate program, the Masters of Psychiatric Nursing, which is offered by Brandon University. There are a limited number of seats in this program.

The admission requirements for the BPN Degree Completion Program for graduates of 2010 and beyond are as follows:

• Saskatchewan Polytechnic Psychiatric Nursing program diploma from 2010 and beyond
• Active registration and in good standing with the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan or from the regulatory body in which the student resides
• A letter of recommendation from a current employer

The admission requirements for the BPN Degree Completion program for graduates prior to 2010 are as follows:Psychiatric Nursing program diploma received prior to 2010

• Active registration and good standing with the Registered
• Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan or from the regulatory body in which the student resides

The English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements will apply to students new to Saskatchewan Polytechnic. 

All courses for the BPN Degree Completion programs will be delivered using a blended learning approach with online learning and some distance learning. The program will integrate theory with clinical practice education. Simulation learning will be used to develop clinical practice skills, critical inquiry, and clinical judgment.

The BPN Degree Completion programs will be delivered through online and distance delivery methods. This means that students can access the courses from where they live.

There will be 15 seats in the BPN Degree Completion program for graduates of 2010 and beyond.

There will be 7 seats available in the BPN Degree Completion program for graduates prior to 2010.

Yes, out-of-province students will be considered.

There will be one intake per year, beginning each fall. You can apply online or by paper application. Additional details about application can be found on this "How to Apply" page.

Applications for both the BPN Degree Completion program for graduates of 2010 and beyond and for the BPN Degree Completion program for graduates prior to 2010 are open on a continuous basis.

The application fee is $75 for applicants who apply online and $100 for applicants who apply using paper application.

Applications will be accepted on a first qualified first admitted (FQFA) basis. This means that if you meet all the requirements, then your application will be considered on the basis of the date and time that you submitted your complete application.

The registrar will notify you of your acceptance into the program.

All successful applicants must provide the results of a criminal record check, proof of Standard First Aid and CPR Health Care Provider “C” AED or equivalent, and an up to date immunization record prior to the commencement of the program.

The BPN Degree Completion programs are offered as a part-time program with one or two courses per term.

The BPN Degree Completion program for graduates of 2010 and beyond l begins annually in September.

The BPN Degree Completion program for graduates prior to 2010 begins annually in January.