Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing

Are you a graduate of Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Psychiatric Nursing diploma program? Do you want to play a greater role in advancing the health and well-being of people and communities—while also opening the door to opportunities in leadership, management and education?

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing (BPN) degree completion program will interest you. Building on your Psychiatric Nursing diploma, we’ll provide you with a strong foundation to grow your career provincially, nationally and internationally.

The Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing is a degree completion program for graduates of Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Psychiatric Nursing diploma program. You’ll study on a part-time basis, taking one or two courses at a time through distance learning, with a clinical practicum.

You’ll deepen your understanding of standards and competencies related to clinical practice, leadership, management, education and research. Mental health promotion and primary health care are emphasized, with a strong focus on clinical practice education. You’ll broaden your knowledge and skills in:

• addictions, sociology and psychology
• economic, social and political influences in psychiatric nursing
• informatics and statistics
• integrating leadership and management theory and skills
• research for evidence-based nursing practice

Designed for Working RPNs

The BPN degree completion program is designed to accommodate working RPNs. Depending on when you graduated, you’ll be able to complete your degree through part-time study in 2 to 2.5 years.

• If you graduated before 2010, you’ll take 1 to 2 courses per term over eight terms, earning your BPN in 2.5 years.
• If you graduated after 2010, you’ll take 1 to 2 courses per term over six terms, earning your BPN in two years.

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. Learn more about the 2018 External Review.

Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.

International applicants will not be considered for admission to the program.

Your Career

Growing demand for psychiatric nurses is opening doors to careers in clinical practice, leadership, management, education and research. You’ll continue to use your RPN designation, but your BPN will open the door to new opportunities in hospitals, long-term care facilities, correctional institutions and programs, community health settings and youth centres.

For more information, contact the Student Employment Services at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus nearest you or visit www.healthcareersinsask.ca.

• Online



Some online programs include on-site labs, clinicals, practicums or work experiences. Online programs may be offered course-by-course or full-time, or both, and deliveries may change over time.

• Online

This program has one or more courses that you can register for immediately.

View the A-Z course listing for a complete list of courses and additional information.

Admission Requirements

BPN Degree Completion Program for graduates of 2010 and beyond:

• Saskatchewan Polytechnic Psychiatric Nursing program diploma from 2010 and beyond
• Active registration and good standing with the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan or with the psychiatric nurses regulatory body from the province in which the applicant resides

BPN Degree Completion Program for graduates prior to 2010:

• Psychiatric Nursing program diploma received prior to 2010
• Active registration and good standing with the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan or with the psychiatric nurses regulatory body from the province in which the applicant resides

BPN Degree Completion Program for graduates of the Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS):

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Saskatchewan (NEPS)
• Active registration and good standing with the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan or with the psychiatric nurses regulatory body from the province in which the applicant resides

All BPN Applicants

• Saskatchewan Polytechnic English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements will apply to students new to Saskatchewan Polytechnic. (Listed below).

English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements

English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements will apply to students new to Saskatchewan Polytechnic. The language of instruction at Saskatchewan Polytechnic is English. All applicants to Saskatchewan Polytechnic must therefore demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency in the English language. The following will be accepted as satisfactory evidence:

• Canadian and U.S. High Schools:  Completion of grades 11 and 12 English, in sequence, as part of two full academic years, in a high school using a provincially- or state-accredited Canadian or U.S. curriculum OR a grade of 80% or better in a grade 12 provincially-examined English course, as part of one full term of study
• English-Language Post-Secondary:  Successful completion of at least 24 credit hours in an approved English-language post-secondary institution, including at least six credit hours in humanities or social science subjects and with a grade point average of 60.00% or equivalent
• GCSE/IGCSE/GCE:  GCSE/IGCSE/GCE Ordinary Level English, English Language, or English as a Second Language with a minimum grade of 'B' or GCE A/AS/AICE Level English or English Language with a minimum grade of 'C'
• Other Tests:  One of the following tests also will be accepted. Test results must be received, by the Admissions Office, directly from the testing service.

In addition to the standard English language proficiency requirements, students who meet the BPN English language requirement via an exam must achieve one of the following exam standards:

• CanTEST:  A minimum score of 4.5 in each of Listening, Reading, and Writing and a 5.0 or higher in Speaking
• CAEL:  A minimum score of 70 with a minimum sub-score of 70 in Speaking and minimum sub-scores of 70 in all other components
• IELTS:  An overall band score of 7.0 with a 7.0 or higher in Speaking
• MELAB:  A minimum score of 85 with a minimum sub-score of 3+ in Speaking
• TOEFL Internet-based (iBt):  A minimum overall score of 90 with minimum sub-scores of 20 in Reading and Writing, 26 in Speaking, and 22 in Listening
• TOEFL Paper-based:  A minimum overall score of 580 with a minimum sub-score of 50 in each of Listening and Speaking, and a minimum score of 5.0 in each of Writing and Reading

Note:

• All successful applicants must provide proof of Standard First Aid and CPR Health Care Provider 'C' AED or equivalent, and submit the results of a Criminal Record Check, prior to commencement of the program. (When you are accepted to the program, you will be further advised of the required timelines for submission of the related documents. Please await further notice.)
• Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of current N95 respirator mask testing prior to entry into the clinical practicum. The cost of N95 respirator mask testing is your responsibility.
• Effective July 1, 2019: Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of 2015 WHMIS Globally Harmonized System (GHS) certification upon admission into the program. Recertification will be required every three years to remain current. The cost of WHMIS certification is your responsibility.

You will need access to a computer for the entire program.

Admission Method

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

2019/20 Academic Year

Pre-Term Bridging - $3,425
Year 1 - $4,790
Year 2 - $5,160

Prior to 2010 Bridging Sem A

PSYN 209

Physical Assessment

3

PSYN 307

Addictions

3

Prior to 2010 Bridging Sem B

PSYN 210

Health and Mental Health Literacy

2

SOCI 200

Culture and Diversity in Health Sciences

3

Prior to 2010 Year 1 Sem 1

ENGL 100

Critical Reading and Writing

3

PSYN 208

Informatics for Health Care Professionals

3

Prior to 2010 Year 1 Sem 2

PSYC 101

Introduction to Psychology

3

SOCI 100

Introduction to Sociology

3

STAT 202

Introductory Statistics

3

Prior to 2010 Year 1 Sem 3

PSYN 300

Research for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice

3

Prior to 2010 Year 2 Sem 4

PSYN 303

Economic, Social & Political Influences in Psychiatric Nursing

3

Prior to 2010 Year 2 Sem 5

PSYN 304

Integrating Leadership & Management in Psychiatric Nursing

3

PSYN 308

Open Elective 1

3

Prior to 2010 Year 2 Sem 6

PSYN 400

Consolidated Collaborative Practice

3

WORK 404

Consolidated Collaborative Work Experience

0

Beyond 2010 Year 1 Sem 1

ENGL 100

Critical Reading and Writing

3

PSYN 208

Informatics for Health Care Professionals

3

Beyond 2010 Year 1 Sem 2

PSYC 101

Introduction to Psychology

3

SOCI 100

Introduction to Sociology

3

STAT 202

Introductory Statistics

3

Beyond 2010 Year 1 Sem 3

PSYN 300

Research for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice

3

Beyond 2010 Year 2 Sem 4

PSYN 303

Economic, Social & Political Influences in Psychiatric Nursing

3

PSYN 308

Open Elective 1

3

Beyond 2010 Year 2 Sem 5

PSYN 304

Integrating Leadership & Management in Psychiatric Nursing

3

PSYN 309

Open Elective 2

3

Beyond 2010 Year 2 Sem 6

PSYN 400

Consolidated Collaborative Practice

3

WORK 404

Consolidated Collaborative Work Experience

0

Note: Students take one of either PSYC 101 or SOCI 100.

Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

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