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Rhianna
Student
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Is it true that Psych NP's aren't really recognized in Canada?
I am a canadian high school student going into nursing, and I really would like to become a psych nurse practitioner and felt I resonated with this career path. However I have come to the realization that Canada , or ontario at least doesnt really recoognize psych nps as a specialty, and only offers primary care, adult and peds np's. Is this in all provinces? Just want some insight from any canadain NP's.
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Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Rhianna !
To begin with, I am not in Canada nor am I a medical professional. You seem to have discovered the basic information on your own, but I would like to share some information that could help you be involved in what you love doing and even though it may not be as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, there may be close options for you.
My guess is that the reason that Canada, or America for that matter, would not recognize or authorize NP for Psychiatric is because they have two different oversights. In the U.S., the AMA authorizes physical medical care and the APA authorizes psychiatric care. They are separate and I assume that is the same in Canada, because why else would they not mix the two. In hospital behavioral health units, you have clinical mental health professionals that care for the patients. Nurse Practitioners, at least in the states, are very similar to medical doctors and can practice with patients in hospitals or in doctors offices under the supervision of a medical doctor.
That being said, it may be that you will have to choose one path or the other. Either become a nurse or become a Psychologist or Psychiatrist. You could also consider becoming a Physician Assistant which takes a similar study path as a doctor. You can also look into becoming a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and I have left a link below for you to the Canadian Health Institute for Health Information website. This comes closest, but not exactly, to your original preference, but at least you'd be able to work in a psychiatric hospital but your duties would be in the realm of nursing, not as an NP.
I would suggest reading up on the careers that I have mentioned. Figure out how much you want your work to be physical care or mental health care. With researching the information, you will eventually be able to come to a conclusion and decide where your niche may be. But don't give up. Keep exploring and even visit a psychiatric hospital and speak with an administrator there and ask a lot of questions.
I hope that this was a bit of a help and that you will start your discoveries soon and decide on the best career for you ! Best wishes in all you do !
CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH INFORMATION (Psychiatric Nursing) https://www.cihi.ca/en/registered-psychiatric-nurses
To begin with, I am not in Canada nor am I a medical professional. You seem to have discovered the basic information on your own, but I would like to share some information that could help you be involved in what you love doing and even though it may not be as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, there may be close options for you.
My guess is that the reason that Canada, or America for that matter, would not recognize or authorize NP for Psychiatric is because they have two different oversights. In the U.S., the AMA authorizes physical medical care and the APA authorizes psychiatric care. They are separate and I assume that is the same in Canada, because why else would they not mix the two. In hospital behavioral health units, you have clinical mental health professionals that care for the patients. Nurse Practitioners, at least in the states, are very similar to medical doctors and can practice with patients in hospitals or in doctors offices under the supervision of a medical doctor.
That being said, it may be that you will have to choose one path or the other. Either become a nurse or become a Psychologist or Psychiatrist. You could also consider becoming a Physician Assistant which takes a similar study path as a doctor. You can also look into becoming a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and I have left a link below for you to the Canadian Health Institute for Health Information website. This comes closest, but not exactly, to your original preference, but at least you'd be able to work in a psychiatric hospital but your duties would be in the realm of nursing, not as an NP.
I would suggest reading up on the careers that I have mentioned. Figure out how much you want your work to be physical care or mental health care. With researching the information, you will eventually be able to come to a conclusion and decide where your niche may be. But don't give up. Keep exploring and even visit a psychiatric hospital and speak with an administrator there and ask a lot of questions.
I hope that this was a bit of a help and that you will start your discoveries soon and decide on the best career for you ! Best wishes in all you do !
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