Psychiatric Nursing

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Psychiatric nursing is a respected and distinct field of practice in western Canada. As a Saskatchewan Polytechnic psychiatric nursing student, you will be introduced to foundational knowledge and skills to prepare you to be an integral part of the interdisciplinary health care team. Faculty will guide you as you link theory with practice, demonstrating that caring is the foundation that provides a framework for psychiatric nursing. You will learn the importance of using a holistic approach to help clients reach their maximum potential.

In addition to a focus on mental health, your education will prepare you to perform a variety of nursing skills including intravenous initiation, Foley catheter and nasogastric tube insertion, wound care, tracheostomy care, blood product administration, care of peripherally inserted central catheters, among others.

If you want to play a vital role in the advancement of mental health and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of individuals, groups, families and communities, Saskatchewan Polytechnic's two-and-a-half-year Psychiatric Nursing advanced diploma program will appeal to you.

Career and salary information

Your career

Registered psychiatric nurses are in high demand and are qualified to work in a variety of settings.

You could work in a hospital, long-term care facility, correctional institution (forensics), community mental health setting, home care or with children and youth. This program provides you with a strong foundation in psychiatric nursing practice.

Potential careers

Admissions

Admission requirements

• Grade 12 with a minimum overall score of 70% in the following five subjects (or their equivalents): English Language Arts A30, English Language Arts B30, Foundations of Math 30 or Pre-Calculus 30 Biology 30, Chemistry 30
• Must be at least 18 years old as of December 31 in the year of admission
• English Language Requirement (see Program-Specific ELP Requirements section)

Note

• Proof of current Standard First Aid and CPR is required prior to entry into the clinical practice education. The required course for CPR is Basic Life Support – Health Care Provider (BLS-HCP). The cost of Standard First Aid and CPR is the applicant’s responsibility.
• Accepted applicants will be required to provide evidence of a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search prior to the start date of the program. At the discretion of the clinical agency, access to a clinical or work placement may be declined based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search. As program requirements cannot be met without placement, admission to the program will be revoked if placement is declined, and the applicant may reapply once the record has been cleared. The cost of the Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search is the applicant’s responsibility. Renewal throughout the program may be required.
• Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of:
  • Current N95 respirator mask fit testing prior to entry into the clinical practice education setting. Must be fitted with two masks.
  • Current WHMIS certification.
  • Current Transferring Lifting Repositioning (TLR®) © certification.
• Recertification may be required during the program. The cost of required certifications is the applicant’s responsibility.
• Accepted applicants are required to provide evidence of current Professional Assault Response Training (PART) - Advanced Level, prior to Year 2. The cost of PART certification is the applicant’s responsibility.

*Previous Saskatchewan mathematics requirement also accepted: 

• one 30-level math (one of Math A30, Math B30, Math C30, Calculus 30, or General Math 30)

Admission method

Competitive

The competitive admissions process is used for programs where the number of qualified applicants regularly exceeds the number of spaces available. In competitive programs, higher admission requirements and/or additional selection criteria may be required. 

Applications open October 1, each academic year.

Domestic student deadlines:

• Application deadline: February 15, each academic year
• Document submission deadline: March 15, each academic year

International student deadlines:

• Application deadline: December 31, each academic year
• Document submission deadline: January 31, each academic year

All supporting documentation is required by 4:30 p.m. (CST) on the document deadline date. When document deadline falls on a weekend, documents are due the following Monday.

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

Selection criteria

Applications are ranked in the order of highest averages.

• Category A: High school applicants (current high school students, high school graduates and
  applicants with less than 15 credit units from a recognized post-secondary
  institution).
• Category B: Post-secondary applicants (students with a minimum of 15 credit units from a 
  recognized post-secondary institution)

Admission average calculation for current high school students

The admission average calculation for current high school students is based on final marks  provided by the posted date. High school students must order transcripts to be sent directly to Sask Polytech at the end of Semester 1 and the end of Semester 2 of the grade 12 year. Students who have not yet graduated from grade 12, and who are registered in the Adult 12  program with Sask Polytech, must have their instructor submit, in writing, the relevant mid-term mark(s) by the posted date. These mid-term marks will be used in the admission average calculation. For the admission average calculation, the final grade 12 mark is used if the course is completed, and the final grade 11 mark is used only in the absence of the grade 12 mark in the same subject. Sask Polytech does not use projected or predicted marks in the absence of final marks. All program specific admission requirements must be met before final admission is granted.

Applications are ranked in the order of highest averages.

Admission average calculation for high school graduates

The admission average calculation for high school graduates is based on the final marks in high-school courses required for admission to the specific program. Approved post-secondary  equivalents may meet specific course requirements, but Saskatchewan Polytechnic uses the post-secondary equivalent only in the absence of high school marks when calculating the average. High school graduates must provide final marks obtained through upgrading, along with all post-secondary transcripts, by the posted deadline.

Applications are ranked in the order of highest averages.

Applicants with 15 or more credits should refer to Admissions average calculation for post-secondary students.

Post-secondary students

Applicants must meet requirements for the specific program to which they apply. Approved post-secondary equivalents may meet specific course requirements. Saskatchewan Polytechnic bases the admissions average calculation on post-secondary courses from recognized institutions (minimum 15 credits to a maximum of 30 recent credits), requires a minimum 60% average, and confirms good standing. Saskatchewan Polytechnic ranks applications in the order of highest averages. Applicants must provide all post-secondary transcripts by the posted deadline. Saskatchewan Polytechnic uses only final grades provided by the posted deadline. All competitive programs include an assessment in which a competitive score is calculated, and applicants are ranked based on academic performance.

Tuition and fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

2025-26 academic year

Year 1 - $11,330
Year 2 - $10,750
Year 3 - $4.060

Courses

Get credit for what you know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

Due to professional certification, licensing and/or regulation, some courses cannot be assessed through PLAR.

See the Candidate Guide below for this program’s PLAR offerings.

• Candidate Guide
• More about PLAR

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.

Related programs

Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing

Continuing Care Assistant

Educational Assistant

Mental Health and Addictions Counselling

Practical Nursing

Youth Care Worker

Additional information

Have a question? Email askaquestion@saskpolytech.ca.

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