I-8, r. 15.1 - Regulation respecting the training and clinical experience required of nurses to assess mental disorders

Updated to 12 December 2023

This document has official status.

chapter I-8, r. 15.1

Regulation respecting the training and clinical experience required of nurses to assess mental disorders

Nurses Act

(chapter I-8, s. 14, par. g).

Professional Code

(chapter C-26, s. 94, par. h).

1. This Regulation determines the content of the university-level training and clinical experience in psychiatric nursing care required of nurses for assessing mental disorders, except mental retardation, referred to in subparagraph 16 of the second paragraph of section 36 of the Nurses Act (chapter I-8).

O.C. 78-2014, s. 1.

2. Before assessing mental disorders, except mental retardation, a nurse must

(1)  have successfully completed graduate-level university training in nursing science in the field of mental health and psychiatric care, the content of which is described in Schedule I;

(2)  have clinical experience in psychiatric nursing care, the content of which is described in Schedule II;

(3)  provide the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec with an attestation describing the acquisition of the training and clinical experience referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.

O.C. 78-2014, s. 2.

3. A nurse who meets the conditions set out in Schedule III satisfies the training and clinical experience requirements referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of section 2.

O.C. 78-2014, s. 3.

4. During the training referred to in paragraph 1 of section 2, a nurse may assess mental disorders, except mental retardation, provided that the nurse is supervised by a professional authorized to assess mental disorders, insofar as the nurse is required to engage in the activity in order to acquire the training.

O.C. 78-2014, s. 4.

5. (Omitted).

O.C. 78-2014, s. 5.

SCHEDULE I

(s. 2, par. 1)

CONTENT OF THE GRADUATE UNIVERSITY TRAINING IN NURSING SCIENCE IN THE FIELD OF MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHIATRIC CARE

The graduate university training program in nursing science in the field of mental health and psychiatric care is constituted of at least 1,035 hours, distributed as follows:

(1) a theory component of at least 450 hours, including at least

(a) 90 hours on research methods, the integration of evidence-based data into clinical practice and the use of psychometric tools, including at least 45 hours on the use of psychometric tools;

(b) 135 hours on the psychopathy of mental disorders and concomitant disorders, including personality and development theories and the study of a classification system for mental disorders and elements for assessing its scope and limitations;

(c) 45 hours on psychopharmacology and biological treatments;

(d) 45 hours on the nurse’s specific professional role related to assessing mental disorders;

(e) 135 hours on communication skills and scientifically recognized models of intervention.

One hour of theory training is equivalent to one hour of planned learning activities in a classroom in the presence of the trainer;

(2) a practical component of at least 540 hours of clinical training, including

(a) 270 hours of clinical training on assessing mental disorders;

(b) 270 hours of clinical training on the integration of interview principles, principles relating to the assessment of a person’s state of health and mental disorders and principles of intervention according to different scientifically recognized models adapted to clientele with mental health problems or mental disorders.

The clinical training is supervised by a professional authorized to assess mental disorders.

O.C. 78-2014, Sch. I.

SCHEDULE II

(s. 2, par. 2)

CONTENT OF THE CLINICAL EXPERIENCE IN PSYCHIATRIC NURSING CARE

The clinical experience in psychiatric nursing care is constituted of at least 840 hours working with persons requiring nursing care in mental health and psychiatry.

O.C. 78-2014, Sch. II.

SCHEDULE III

(s. 3)

CONDITIONS TO MEET THE TRAINING AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS IN PARAGRAPHS 1 AND 2 OF SECTION 2

To meet the training and clinical experience requirements in paragraphs 1 and 2 of section 2, a nurse must, in the year following the date of coming into force of this Regulation (2014-03-06),

(1) hold a graduate degree from a Canadian university in health science, education or humanities in a field related to health or human relations or a bachelor’s degree in nursing science from a Canadian university or a bachelor’s degree by accumulated certificates from a Canadian university in a field related to health or human relations, including at least 30 credits in nursing science;

(2) for a nurse holding a graduate university degree, have practised at least 3,360 hours in nursing with persons with mental disorders as part of a practice in which the nurse has participated in the process of assessing mental disorders in the 5 years preceding the date of coming into force of this Regulation and, for a nurse holding a bachelor’s degree, have practised at least 10,080 hours in the 10 years preceding that date;

(3) have successfully completed at least 225 hours of training enabling the nurse to acquire the knowledge and skills required for all the areas provided for in subparagraphs a to c of paragraph 1 of Schedule I. That training may have been acquired at a university institution or a private establishment from a trainer who is a professional authorized to assess mental disorders.

O.C. 78-2014, Sch. III.

REFERENCES

O.C. 78-2014, 2014 G.O. 2, 393