Navigating the labyrinth of Canadian undergraduate psychiatric nurse education

Abstract

Historically, the education and training of psychiatric nurses in Canada have only been available within a psychiatric institutional setting or community college. This trend, however, has experienced a recent shift with the establishment of a Canadian undergraduate programme. This development is symbolic of the profession's evolution and serves three primary purposes. First, it continues to address the psychiatric nursing shortage; second, it provides additional educational and career opportunities for students; and third, it serves to advance the psychiatric nursing profession. This essay reflects on a decade of undergraduate psychiatric nurse education and discusses the salient challenges and needs of learners and educators. © 2010 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.