BScPN Program Structure:

During the first year, students take introductory courses in Health Studies, Arts, and Science.  This first year is referred to as the Pre-Psychiatric Nursing Year.  Upon successful completion of the required Pre-Psychiatric Nursing courses, students are eligible to apply for entry into Year 2 of the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing (BScPN) program. Year 2 of the BScPN program accommodates the admission of 35 students at the Brandon site and 60 students at the Winnipeg site per year.  Students can refer to the admission process and requirements.

Courses in the BScPN program are sequenced in order to allow students to build in complexity over time.  Students start with growth and development and progress through various health-related disorders and into complex multi-system disorders.

In years 2-4 of the BScPN program, students invest 828 theory hours, 216 laboratory hours, and 1040 clinical hours. Students first learn theory-based knowledge in the classroom and continue with simulated learning in the laboratory setting to apply newly learned skills.  They then move to working with individual patients/clients/residents and increasingly apply their knowledge and skills to larger groups including families, and communities.  Students are evaluated on the application of theory at each stage in the program.

A series of four integrated practice courses and four clinical experiences dedicated to specific content are a part of the curriculum requirements.  The integrated practice clinical courses provide an opportunity for students to reinforce existing skills, apply recently acquired knowledge and skills in clinical settings.  In Integrated Practice I, students will demonstrate skills in a clinical setting including documentation, care planning, interpersonal communication, comprehensive health assessment, as well as basic nursing skills.  These skills continue to be practiced in Integrated Practice II and students integrate new learning in the areas of medical nursing, individual counseling, and psychopathology.  In Integrated Practice III, students have the opportunity to practice in acute inpatient psychiatric settings using skills in family counseling and conducting therapeutic groups.  In the final year of the program, the Integrative Clinical Practicum provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate comprehensive integration of concepts and principles in selected situations related to mental/developmental health.  It is a self-directed learning experience negotiated in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Program Outcomes 

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing degree from Brandon University will possess:

1. Knowledge of primary mental health care and therapeutic relationships and apply principles to community nursing, population health and wellbeing and the development of psychiatric nursing as a profession.
2. An understanding of the role of the professional psychiatric nurse in the areas of practice, research, leadership, administration, education, government/health policy, program/community development and population health and wellbeing.
3. Knowledge and experience to develop and provide psychiatric nursing care that is individualized, effective, and satisfying to recipients of care to achieve mutually determined mental health goals.
4. The ability to practice consistently according to legal, ethical, and professional standards of psychiatric nursing.
5. The ability to engage in critical reflection, self-reflection (as it pertains to therapeutic use of self) and evaluation of practice to facilitate ongoing professional development.
6. The skills to collaborate, negotiate, and communicate with multisectoral health partners and recipients of care in the development, delivery and evaluation of care.