COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing program requires students to complete a minimum of 123 credits, including courses that satisfy admission requirements, within a maximum timeframe of seven years. The program’s curriculum is structured to provide comprehensive theoretical knowledge alongside extensive practical experience across three years. In the first year, students complete foundational courses such as Introduction to Mental Health, Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing, General Pharmacology, and Nursing Practice, complemented by First Nations Health and Medical Anthropology. Year two deepens students’ expertise with courses in Acute Mental Health Nursing, Psychopharmacology, Complex Mental Health Nursing, Mental Health Leadership, Psychopathology, Substance Use and Mental Health, and Community Mental Health Nursing, alongside interpersonal communication skills labs. The third year focuses on consolidation and application of knowledge through courses in Health Care Ethics, Health Research for Evidence-Informed Practice, Contemporary Issues in Mental Health Nursing, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nursing, and culminates with extensive clinical practice through consolidation and a 10-credit preceptorship. This practical component ensures students gain hands-on experience in diverse settings, preparing them for professional psychiatric nursing roles. The curriculum emphasizes a holistic approach, integrating health promotion, cultural competence, and critical thinking skills necessary for effective psychiatric nursing practice. The program’s design supports students’ development of reflective, ethical, and client-centered care within mental health nursing.