Keeping up with the volume of new genetic information emerging from the human genome project is a challenge for almost all healthcare providers, but nurses who received little or no formal genetic training often find it particularly intimidating. Nursing faculty may be reluctant to add genetic content to existing courses, much less tackle the work of teaching an entire course in genetics. This article provides nursing faculty with some strategies and straightforward curriculum modifications to assist them in integrating genetic content into graduate-level nursing curriculum. Advanced Practice Nurses in particular should understand genetics well enough to be aware of and appreciate the wide variety of genetic conditions that might be encountered in a clinical setting. The authors offer practical suggestions for incorporating genetics into Advanced Practice Nursing curricula.

Keywords:
Genetics education, Nurse practitioner, Advanced practice nurse, Genetics curriculum, Nursing education
1.
Varmus H: Getting ready for gene-based medicine. N Engl J Med 2002;347:1526–1527.
2.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing: Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. Washington, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 1998.
3.
Lea D, Feetham S, Monsen R: Genomic-based health care in nursing: a bidirectional approach to bringing genetics into nursing’s body of knowledge. J Prof Nurs 2002;18:120–129.
4.
Read CY, Dylis A, Mott SR, Fairchild NJ: Promoting integration of genetics core competencies into entry-level nursing curricula. J Nurs Educ 2004;43:376–380.
5.
Feetham S, Thomson E, Hinshaw AS: Nursing leadership in genomics for health and society. J Nurs Scholarsh 2005;37:102–110.
6.
Prows CA GM, Nicol MJ, Skirton H, Williams J: Genomics in nursing education. J Nurs Scholarsh 2005;37:196–202.
7.
International Society of Nurses in Genetics, 2004. (Accessed at www.isong.org.)
8.
Lea DH, Monsen RB: Preparing nurses for a 21st century role in genomics-based health care. Nurs Educ Perspect 2003;24:75–80.
9.
Jenkins J, Lea D: Nursing Care in the Genomic Era. A Case-Based Approach. Sudburn, Jones & Bartlett, 2005.
10.
Lashley F: Clinical Genetics in Nursing Practice, ed 3. New York, Springer, 2005.
11.
Jenkins J, Grady PA, Collins FS: Nurses and the genomic revolution. J Nurs Scholarsh 2005;37:98–101.
12.
Registered Nurses: US Department of Labor, 2004. (http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm#training, accessed March 21, 2005.)
13.
Maradiegue A, Edwards Q, Seibert D: Knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of advance practice students regarding medical genetics. J Am Acad Nurs Pract 2005;17:472–479.
14.
Cohen FL: Genetics knowledge possessed by American nurses and nursing students. J Adv Nurs 1979;4:493–501.
15.
Terzioglu F, Dinc L: Nurses’ views on their role in genetics. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2004;13:756–764.
16.
Williams J, Tripp-Reimer T, Schutte D, Barnette J: Advancing genetic nursing knowledge. Nurs Outlook 2004;52:73–79.
17.
Horner SD, Abel E, Taylor K, Sands D: Using theory to guide the diffusion of genetics content in nursing curricula. Nurs Outlook 2004;52:80–84.
18.
Lea D, Feetham S, Monsen R: Incorporating genetics into practice. Nurs Educ 1999;24:4–5.
19.
Edwards QT, Maradiegue A, Seibert D, Macri C, Sitzer L: Faculty members’ perceptions of medical genetics and its integration into nurse practitioner curricula. J Nurs Educ 2006;45: 124–130.
20.
Cincinnati Children’s Summer Institute Genetics Program for Nursing Faculty (GEPN), 2004. (http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/ed/clinical/gpnf/summer/default.htm, accessed November 9, 2004).
21.
Summer Genetics Institute, 2004. (http://fmp.cit.nih.gov/ninr/, accessed November 9, 2004).
22.
Seibert DC, Guthrie J and Adamo GA: Improving learning outcomes: integration of standardized patients and telemedicine technology. Nurs Educ Perspect 2004;25:232–237.
23.
Seibert D, Fries M: Augmenting genetic services for providers: outcomes after a ten-day training course in genetic counseling for nurses. Presented at Armed Forces District Meeting, San Diego, Calif., 2004.
© 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel
2006
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.