Psychiatric Nursing student Afreen Gill reality-checks five common myths about psychiatric nursing.
By Afreen Kaur Gill, Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing student
As a psychiatric nursing student, I’ve come to realize that this area of health care is both vital and deeply misunderstood. Psychiatric nursing isn’t just about “talking to people” or “dealing with mental illness” – it’s a complex, skilled practice that requires extensive medical knowledge, compassion and critical thinking. Unfortunately, many myths continue to shape how people view psychiatric nurses and the patients we serve.
Here are five widespread fallacies about psychiatric nursing, and some reality checks I’ve learned through my training and experience as a third-year Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing student at Douglas College.
Reality check: We are trained extensively in both physical and mental health, and we work closely with other registered nurses (RNs) and health-care professionals to provide holistic, patient-centered care. Our expertise bridges the gap between mental and physical health, ensuring that individuals receive comprehensive support.
Suggesting that registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) are “not real nurses” or “less important than RNs” is not only inaccurate but also stigmatizing. It implies that mental health care is secondary to physical health care, when in reality they are deeply interconnected. Such assumptions diminish the critical role psychiatric nurses play in promoting recovery, dignity and overall patient well-being.
Read more: This Psychiatric Nursing grad became a Vancouver mental health services leader
Reality check: Many patients have co-occurring medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or medication side effects that require close monitoring. We are able to identify and respond to changes in physical health alongside mental health symptoms.
At Douglas, we undertake multiple placements in both medical and psychiatric care settings throughout the program. We also undertake weekly clinical procedures classes where we practice our clinical skills, including IV insertion, catheter care, injections, wound care and more.
Our psychiatric nursing skills are especially important in areas where physical and mental health care overlap, such as in the treatment of eating disorders that require both medical stabilization and psychiatric assessment.
Reality check: My patients are not “crazy” – they are human beings navigating mental health challenges, each with a unique story that deserves to be heard and respected. They are individuals enduring real pain, distress or illness, similar to someone experiencing hardships due to a physical health condition. They need compassion, support and care – not judgment or stigmatizing labels. My job as a psychiatric nurse is to comprehend what each patient is going through, advocate for them and help them progress in their journey to heal.
Also, I have never heard anyone refer to a patient dealing with medical conditions such as diabetes as “crazy.” I’ve never heard anyone ask, “why can’t they just control their blood sugar on their own? Why do they need treatment or medication?” That approach would be seen as utterly inappropriate because we understand diabetes as a medical condition that demands prompt care. Similarly, this principle should extend to mental health. I do not see a client with schizophrenia as “crazy” because of their diagnosis. I see them as someone living with a serious health condition that affects their mind and body. Patients facing mental health challenges deserve the same compassion, support and access to care as anyone managing a chronic medical condition.
Read more: This Nursing grad is part of a new health care generation focused on mental well-being
Reality check: Assuming psychiatric patients are dangerous solely on the basis of their mental health diagnosis is stigmatizing and false. Psychiatric care settings have explicit safety protocols, strong teamwork and structured environments to ensure staff and patient safety. Labelling the psychiatric nursing profession as unsafe disregards the preparation and collaboration that go into establishing therapeutic and secure spaces.
While psychiatric nursing can present strenuous situations, the extensive and specialized training we receive at Douglas equips us to handle such situations safely. Our education includes de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, risk assessment and managing seclusion rooms. We also gain first-hand experience through acute psychiatric unit placements, where we observe how teams respond collaboratively to maintain safety.
Reality check: Psychiatric nursing presents a broad and growing range of career opportunities. RPNs work in hospitals, emergency departments, acute psychiatric units, community mental health programs, corrections, addiction services, forensic settings, schools, Indigenous health settings and more. They can specialize in areas like crisis response, trauma care, geriatrics, substance use, leadership and management roles.
Many students also continue their education through graduate programs in psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology, education, counselling careers or health-care leadership. Some also pursue medical school. There are also paths to become mental health supervisors, clinical professors, policy advisors and leaders in health-care organizations. Psychiatric nursing is a versatile and dynamic field with many opportunities for advancement, specialization and leadership.
Psychiatric nursing is a highly skilled, evidence-based and compassionate profession that plays a critical role in health care. The myths about it do not reflect the rigorous education, responsibility and positive impact psychiatric nurses have. Whether in hospitals, communities or academia, psychiatric nurses provide holistic care that supports the whole person – mind and body. The Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing program at Douglas unlocks various career paths and opportunities that can advance you academically and financially, while empowering you to make a meaningful, positive impact in your community.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing.
