As a Registered Psychiatric Nurse you are accountable and responsible for your own fitness to practice (FTP). When you experience health concerns that affect your skills, abilities and judgement you may not be able to provide safe, competent and ethical nursing care in the best interest of the public and patient safety.
If you have questions about FTP, the following information may be helpful. If you continue to have a question about your own or another’s FTP please call CRPNA for advice.
Fitness to practice can be defined as the abilities and competences of a registered psychiatric nurse in relation to his/her capacity to practice as a registered psychiatric nurse, free of any cognitive, physical, psychological or emotional conditions and dependence on alcohol or drugs that impairs his or her ability to practice as a RPN.
The
Code of Ethics & Standards of Psychiatric Nursing Practice 2013 state that a Registered Psychiatric Nurse self reports to CRPNA conditions that compromise their fitness to practice.
Incapacity is defined in the HPA as "suffering from a physical, mental, or emotional condition or disorder or an addiction to alcohol or drugs as defined in the Pharmacy and Drug Act, or other chemical that impairs the ability to provide professional services in a safe and competent manner". If you are incapacitated then you are not fit to practice.