Updated Complaints Procedure now available in brochure form - see "Complaints" on Nav Bar ... Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice - approved by Board May 2010 - see below ... NEW - Summer 2010 issue of The Communicator now available online - see below right ... Looking for a place to advertise a psychiatric nursing position?? Look no farther - "click" graphic on right ... Job Hunting? Check our "Job Opportunities" page for information on available nursing positions ...

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CRPNBC 2010 Board Election Results

The College is pleased to announce the results of the August 18 election for the CRPNBC Board of Directors. The positions are for a two-year term, commencing September 30, 2010:

Ross Stewart, Vancouver (re-elected)

Ross is the current Chair of the Board of Directors of CRNPBC and has a 47 year practice history in psychiatric nursing. He is currently employed as the Executive Director and Manager of Care for a non-profit mental health housing organization.

Dorothy Jennings, Chilliwack

Dorothy is currently employed with PHSA as the Director, Clinical Programs for the Adult Tertiary and Geriatric Psychiatry Programs at Riverview Hospital. As well, Dorothy is the immediate past Chair of the CRPNBC Board of Directors. She also chairs the CRPNBC Professional Practice and Patient Relations Committee, the CRPNBC Workplace Representative Program and is a member of the CRPNBC Inquiry Committee and the CRPNBC Human Resources Committee.

David Axon, Victoria

David arrived in Canada from the U.K. in 2006 and has worked in the Psychiatric Emergency Service and Psychiatric Intensive Care unit in Victoria, as well as the adult in-patient service and crisis team in Duncan. His current role is in an Assertive Community Treatment Team focusing on clients with homeless, mental health and addiction issues.

The College would like to thank Linda Parkins, Bill Phillips, Karen Sherbina and Joan Warner for also putting their names forward.

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Statement of Clarification Regarding the Practice of Registered Psychiatric Nursing in BC

In recent months, the College has been receiving a number of calls from registrants and the public regarding what RPNs are able to do and not do. The majority of these inquiries have been prompted by confusion about the scope of practice of RPNs.

With the introduction of the current Health Professions Act, which governs the College and all RPNs, just as the 1997 Health Professions Act did, the provincial government advised the College that they will be passing new regulations defining the scope of practice of RPNs. In the meantime, the regulations simply say that “A registrant may practice psychiatric nursing.” The process of revising the regulations to define the scope of practice requires the government to consult with the College and other stakeholders. We have been informed by the Ministry of Health Services that these consultations will not take place until the fall of 2010 at the earliest. This means that there is no clear legislative statement about the RPN scope of practice until those consultations are complete.

Thus, in the interim, RPNs may continue to practice as they have been doing with the usual conditions applying:

1. Practice must meet or exceed the Standards of Psychiatric Nursing Practice in BC.
   
2. The ethical obligations of the RPN must be fulfilled, including protecting the public and keeping them safe.
   
3. The registrant’s education in the area of practice must be current and, if not, the registrant must obtain such education as to be competent, prior to practicing.

The College hopes that this statement will help to clarify matters until such times as we are able to publish the Scope of Practice, as indicated above.

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Beyond the Blues: Depression Anxiety Education and Screening Day

This is an annual education event for the public sponsored by the Canadian Mental Health Association. Learn more about depression, anxiety and risky drinking and the range of support in your community during the 16th annual Beyond the Blues: Depression Anxiety Education and Screening Day. It's happening October 7th at more than 60 events across BC. Events feature lots of interactivity and are free, drop-in, and anonymous. For locations and info, visit www.heretohelp.bc.ca/events or call 1-866-917-HOPE.

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Complaints Brochure now available for Download.

Please "click" on "Complaints on Navigation Bar to download in pdf format.

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The Communicator

Like many other organizations, the CRPNBC intends to make the Communicator a digital publication available on-line, rather than being mailed. This will save College resources and reduce our carbon footprint. We recognize that many registrants enjoy receiving the print version and this will be an adjustment. We hope that with notice of what is going to happen, the transition will be made somewhat easier.

To Access the Summer 2010 Issue of The Communicator simply "click" on the cover found on the right side of the homepage.

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Important Update Regarding Pre-pouring Medications

The following resolution was passed at the March 4, 2010 meeting of the CRPNBC Board of Directors:

Until such time as the CRPNBC can develop and adopt a position statement regarding pre-pouring medications, the College endorses the standards of safe medication distribution practices established by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices and the CRNBC, and reinforces to all CRPNBC members that it is not safe to pre-pour medication and is contrary to both existing RPN training and practice standards.

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Public Register Now Available

The CRPNBC has developed a Public Register in keeping with the Health Professions Act. Current and prospective employers, as well as consumers and families will now be able to immediately verify whether an individual is currently registered as an RPN in British Columbia. The link to the Register can be found on the top left portion of the navigation bar under "Registration Information". To use the Register simply enter the name you wish to verify in the following format: smith, john and the click on search. The comma between the surname and given name is required.

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Psychiatric Nursing Bridging Program for Internationally Educated Nurses

This program is a partnership between the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of BC and the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta. Funding for this project has been approved by the BC Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development under the “Regulator Projects to Increase Access to Regulated Professions”.

Details HERE

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CRPNBC Office

Suite #307 - 2502 St. Johns Street
Port Moody,
British Columbia
Canada
V3H 2B4
Tel: 604-931-5200
Fax: 604-931-5277
BC Toll Free: 1-800-565-2505

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Board of Directors

Ross Stewart - Chair
Linda Moyneur - Vice-Chair
Michele Robson - Finance Officer
Paul Anderson - Director
Anna Helewka - Director
Judith Macrae - Director
Melodie Hull - Director
Lis Pedersen - Director
Carol Robinson, Director

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Staff

Kyong-ae Kim,
Executive Director / Registrar
Linda Syssoloff, Deputy Registrar/Practice Consultant
April Lightbown, Administrative Assistant
Cindy Nordquist, Administrative Assistant/Accounting

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Email Addresses:

Kyong-ae Kim
April Lightbown
Cindy Nordquist
Linda Syssoloff

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