Overview
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.

Responsibilities

Work within a collaborative practice model with other health care team members and lead the nursing care delivery within their area of practice.

Provide care 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 Forces 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, they live and work in the same environment as the CAF members they treat.

Career progression and postings
In the Regular Force, after completing required training, you will be assigned to your first base. Postings may require relocations. In the Primary Reserve Force, you join through a specific Reserve unit and work part time outside of training, with typical duties including one night per week and some weekends, with possibilities of full-time employment.

Entry plans

Direct Entry Options

In-Service Selection: Nursing Officers who joined through any entry plan may, upon selection, further specialize as a Mental Health Nursing Officer and progress to jobs and ranks of increasing responsibility.

Direct Entry :



If you already have a university degree and a license to practice as a Registered Nurse in a Canadian province or territory, and civilian nursing experience in a mental health workplace, the CAF may place you directly into a Mental Health Nursing Officer position after evaluation of your experience. Additional education and certification may be required to complement your civilian experience.

For further information, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: [email protected]

Training
After completing the Rank Qualification Lieutenant training, Nursing Officers selected for specialization or who have civilian experience in mental health/psychosocial services are required to complete a formal mental health nursing course and a certification to ensure clinical competencies for general mental health and psychiatric emergency settings. The certification is completed in a Canadian civilian tertiary care facility and at Canadian Forces Health Services Centres through a designated curriculum. Course length depends on the officer’s prior clinical experience.

Opportunities to develop specialized skills through formal courses and certifications include:

Addiction

General mental health services

Psychosocial services

Counseling

Management

Policy and program management

Part-time options
Reserve Force Mental Health Nursing Officers are trained to the same level as Regular Force counterparts. Civilian experience should reflect employment in a mental health environment. If unsure about civilian experience matching the requirements, please contact a Canadian Forces Health Services Recruiter: [email protected].

Related Careers
Medical Officer

Psychiatrist (Medical Specialist)

Nursing Officer

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📌 Mental Health Nursing Officer (British Columbia)
🏢 Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes
📍 British Columbia