Registration Psychiatric Nurse – Transitional Graduate Nurse at Alberta Health Services

Your Opportunity:

Step into your nursing career with confidence. Join Alberta’s Graduate Nurse Transition Pilot Program. Have you recently graduated as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and ready to launch your nursing career? Whether you're drawn to the energy of urban centers or the close-knit feel of rural communities, opportunities await in our Graduate Nurse Transition Pilot Program (GNTPP). This isn’t about “hitting the ground running”. It’s about growing into your role with the support you deserve. You’ll be paired with experienced peers who guide you every step of the way, helping you build your skills, competence, and confidence in a safe and supportive environment. Start strong. Grow steadily. Thrive with support. The GNTPP is 12 months in duration and structured into two phases: Phase 1 - Enhanced Orientation: You will be in supernumerary (not counted in staffing numbers) and paired with a Clinical Guide (experienced RN/RPN) to develop and complete a personalized learning plan. The duration of this phase is flexible, based on your individual learning and transition needs. Phase 2 - Independent Practice with Support: After successfully completing Phase 1 - Enhanced Orientation, you will transition to independent practice while having access to an assigned mentor for ongoing support throughout the remaining 12 months of the program. After transitioning to independent practice, you will be required to apply for available vacant positions of no less than 0.5 FTE in a similar practice setting, ideally within the same unit, program, site, or office.

Description:

As a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN), you will provide a wide variety of nursing services to patients, families, communities and populations, while taking necessary steps to ensure their safety and well-being. In your role, you will utilize nursing processes, through critical thinking, problem solving and decision making, as well as teach, counsel and advocate on behalf of patients and their families. You will play a leadership role in supporting an integrated and holistic approach to patient care, health promotion and maintenance. You will provide safe, quality patient and family centered care while reflecting the shared vision and values of the organization. PLEASE NOTE: Provisional Permit holders will be paid $39.58 - $54.16 per hour. Upon obtaining a full licence, the rate of pay will be adjusted to the applicable Registered Psychiatric Nurse rate in accordance with AHS/UNA Article 25.02(b)(i) or (ii) as applicable.

Transition Company: Recovery Alberta Classification: SN Reg'd PsychNurs NGT 2022.75 Union: United Nurses of Alberta Unit and Program: Unit 10-1 Primary Location: Alberta Hospital Edmonton Location Details: As Per Location Multi-Site: At (UNA only) FTE: 1.00 Posting End Date: 08-DEC-2025 Temporary Employee Class: Temp F/T Benefits Date Available: 12-JAN-2026 Temporary End Date: 10-JAN-2027 Hours per Shift: 7.75 Length of Shift in weeks: 2 Shifts per cycle: 10 Shift Pattern: Days, Evenings, Nights, Weekends Days Off: As Per Rotation Minimum Salary: $43.26 Maximum Salary: $59.21 Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable

Required Qualifications:

Completion of an accredited psychiatric nursing education program. Active or eligible for registration and practice permit with the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Alberta (CRPNA). Current Basic Cardiac Life Support - Health Care Provider (BCLS-HCP) certification. Eligibility is restricted to Graduate Nurses, Graduate Psychiatric Nurses, Registered Nurses and Registered Psychiatric Nurses who have graduated within 12 months prior to the anticipated start date of the program and who have not already obtained a regular position with AHS, Covenant Health, or Recovery Alberta. Candidates selected for an interview must review the UNA Letter of Understanding #29 - Graduate Nurse Transition Pilot Program prior to the interview. For details, visit https://www.una.ca/collectiveagreements.

Additional Required Qualifications:

Working knowledge of Patient and Family Centered Care principles. Working knowledge of the DSM-5, concurrent disorders and staged matched interventions. Working knowledge of psychopathology. Demonstrated ability to assess health status (including systems examination). Demonstrated ability to independently conduct a mental status examination, conduct a mental health assessment and formulate a problem list and plan of care. Demonstrated ability to assess multiple conditions of risk and develop evidence-based risk mitigation plans. Demonstrated ability to appropriately assess and manage symptoms of withdrawal from multiple substances. Demonstrated ability to engage patients and families (including but not limited to patient and family teaching). Working knowledge of all relevant legislation (e.g. MH Act, HIA, PPIC, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications:

Thorough knowledge and experience of evidence-based addiction and mental health treatment modalities (both pharmacological and nonpharmacological). Strong verbal communication skills (English language proficiency is required) that supports verbal messages being received and understood within the context of crisis and non-crisis situations. Demonstrated ability to practice in a recovery-oriented and trauma-informed manner.