Mental Health Nursing Officer

As a member of the military, Mental Health Nursing Officers provide nursing care in the mental health nursing domain of practice to ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and supported populations in tertiary and primary care environments in Canada and while on operation.

Mental Health Nursing Officers work within a collaborative practice model with other members of the health care team and lead the nursing care delivery within their area of practice. Mental Health Nursing Officers have the opportunity to work in different domains of nursing practice including:

• Patient partnered care;
• Crisis management;
• Case coordination;
• Consulting services;
• Policy and Program management;
• Education and Training.

Work Environment

Mental Health Nursing Officers usually work in Canadian Force Health Services Centres, civilian tertiary care centres, and Headquarters. They work in an office at a base, wing, or garrison and deploy overseas on operational missions. During field exercises and deployments to military operations abroad, Mental Health Nursing Officers live and work in the same environment as the CAF members they treat.

Career Overview

Mental Health Nursing Officers in the Canadian Forces are registered nurses with a specialty in mental health. They ensure that members get the assistance they need when they need it, collaborating with colleagues such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers to provide optimal care. Mental Health Nursing Officers work in Canadian Forces health services clinics across Canada, seeing patients daily and having the opportunity to deploy.

During deployments, Mental Health Nursing Officers assist members in distress, equipping them with coping strategies and skills to manage stressful moments and promote long-term mental health.

Pay and Benefits

A competitive compensation and benefits package is available for this medical specialization. Contact a Health Services Specialist Recruiter to learn more: HSRecruiting-RecrutementSS@forces.gc.ca.

Nursing Officers who joined the occupation through any entry plan have the opportunity, upon selection, to further specialize as a Mental Health Nursing Officer and progress in jobs and ranks of increasing responsibility.

Direct Entry

If you already have a university degree and license to practice as a Registered Nurse in a Canadian province or territory and civilian nursing experience in a mental health environment, the CAF may place you directly into a Mental Health Nursing Officer job after evaluation of your experience. You will have to complete some education and certification to complement your civilian experience.