Redefining faculty workload metrics: A data-driven approach.

Background: Benchmarking faculty workload is key for equity, but a standard model like the Carnegie Unit, originally designed for student workload, does not fit all scenarios.

Methods: A novel Faculty Effort Data Collection Tool assessed whether the Carnegie Unit accurately reflected faculty effort in a graduate nursing program. Workload was evaluated course-by-course based on faculty self-reported hours.

Optimizing Care for Military Women: The Value of the Dual-Certified Family and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner.

The number of women in the military has more than tripled over the past 50 years, increasing from 5% in the 1970s to 17% in 2023, making them essential for global health engagement and military operations. Provider competence and confidence are barriers to the consistent availability of preventive, gynecologic, and reproductive services for women across service locations and duty platforms. The Defense Health Board recommends standardizing services and improving the availability and scope of services for women at every point of care.

Mitochondrial disorders: Understanding mitochondrial DNA point mutations and deletion syndromes.

Mitochondrial disorders arise from DNA mutations in either the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or nuclear DNA genomes. This article focuses on a mtDNA base-pair mutation associated with neuropathy, ataxia, and retinitis pigmentosa and Leigh syndrome and the large-scale mtDNA deletion associated with Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Disease sequelae and management strategies are reviewed, along with implications for the nurse practitioner in primary or specialty care.

Applying the RIME Framework to Level Nurse Practitioner Curriculum Competencies.

Background: Nurse practitioner (NP) faculty assess student acquisition of knowledge through examinations, simulation, and clinical performance.

Problem: Developing appropriately leveled curriculum, assessments, and clinical expectations that accurately capture student maturation presents a challenge.

Approach: The Reporter, Interpreter, Manager, Educator (RIME) provided the framework for doctor of nursing practice NP curriculum redesign to enhance student performance and content mastery.

The genomics of COVID.

Coronaviruses, named for their crown-like appearance, are relative newcomers to the human viral encyclopedia, but they are anything but new to the viral landscape. Initially thought to cause relatively mild disease in humans, it is now clear that coronaviruses can cause significant morbidity and mortality. COVID-19 provided a ringside seat from which to watch scientists use genomics in hundreds of ways to learn about, protect against, and ultimately control the effects of this novel virus.

Dilemma of identifying congenital hemolytic anemias in primary care.

Anemia, the overall reduction of red blood cell (RBC) mass in an individual, occurs as a result of an underlying condition. It is probably the most common pathological state worldwide and can be acute, chronic, congenital, or acquired. It can be placed in one of three broad categories: blood loss, hypoproliferative, and hemolytic.

Genomics update 2022: Clinician and patient hot topics.

Advances in genomics research and clinical applications continue to accelerate. Coupled with the availability of direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing of genetic testing and new discoveries, patients are increasingly coming into primary care with genomic questions. This article offers a snapshot of the kinds of questions patients are asking and that providers should be prepared to discuss such as what to do with DTC results or whether pharmacogenetics testing would help make sure "the right" medication is prescribed.

Understanding the nomenclature of mitochondrial DNA mutations through examples of two specific disease entities: Mitochondrial encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy.

Mitochondrial diseases are genetic disorders that can arise either from maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or from mutations in nuclear DNA. This article is the second in a series of papers reviewing mitochondrial genetics and several of the disorders associated with mitochondrial gene variants. With a prevalence of 1:∼4,300 persons, mitochondrial disorders are diagnostic entities with which nurse practitioners should be familiar.

Precision Medicine-A Demand Signal for Genomics Education.

Pressed by the accumulating knowledge in genomics and the proven success of the translation of cancer genomics to clinical practice in oncology, the Obama administration unveiled a $215 million commitment for the Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI) in 2016, a pioneering research effort to improve health and treat disease using a new model of patient-powered research. The objectives of the initiative include more effective treatments for cancer and other diseases, creation of a voluntary national research cohort, adherence to privacy protections for maintaining data sharing and use, modernization of the regulatory framework, and forging public-private partnerships to facilitate these objectives. Specifically, the DoD Military Health System joined other agencies to execute a comprehensive effort for PMI.

A competency roadmap for advanced practice nursing education using PRIME-NP.

Background: Clinical competency validation is essential for nurse practitioner (NP) education and public accountability. While there has been robust discussion around what constitutes clinical competency and assessment, clear and consistent definitions and measurements remain elusive.

Purpose: This article describes the PRIME-NP clinical competency model that is scalable, reproducible and accurately documents NP student competency across clinical courses.

Genomics of aging: The role of sirtuin and metabolic health.

Healthy aging is not the result of a single factor. Genes, dietary choices/options, exercise, and environmental exposures all play a role. A family of seven nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent sirtuin proteins are very involved in various metabolic functions, such as glucose and fat regulation, and polymorphisms in these genes have been associated with the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and longevity.

Genomics of aging: Glycosylation.

This third article in the Genomics of Aging series explores the process of glycosylation and how abnormal glycosylation contributes to aging and disease (i.e., diabetes, cardiovascular disease [CVD], neurological disorder, and cancer).

Genomics in nursing education.

Genetics/Genomics is a relatively new science. The basic principles were formally described at the end of the 19th century, the physical structure of genes were described in the middle of the 20th century, and the first gene located in the early 1990s. Later, the human genome was sequenced.

Military transgender care.

Transgender individuals have a long-standing history of honorable service in the United States Military. However, politics have had an impact on their ability to openly serve in uniform as policies continually change rapidly with each new administration. This article describes the shifting political landscape of policies related to whether (or not) transgender individuals can serve in the military, and how this has affected the health care experiences of transgender individuals and the ability for nurse practitioners to provide quality health care to the transgender population serving on active duty.

Genomics of aging: Genes, adducts, and telomeres.

Genomics influences the aging process in many different ways. This 10-part series of articles describes what is known about genetics and aging, including genes, adducts, and telomeres, decreased immune defenses, oxidation and inefficient mitochondria, toxins and radiation, glycosylation, caloric intake and sirtuin production, neurotransmitter imbalance, hormone mechanisms, reduced nitric oxide, and stem cell slowdown. This first article explores gene adducts as an epigenetic "sludge," the influence of telomeres and other mutations that contribute to DNA dysfunction, cell stress, and premature aging.

Taking the leap from clinical practice to academic faculty: A beginner's guide.

Exploring new roles and responsibilities available to clinicians offers a path to renovate a nurse practitioner's career. The role of academician and nurse faculty broadens career horizons, presents a sense of autonomy, and offers unique opportunities to teach, participate in research, build leadership skills, and contribute to the health care delivery system at a higher level. Advance practice nurses often consider a shift to academia but are concerned about the unfamiliarity of the entire process.

Pharmacogenomics in clinical care.

Health care designed specifically for a person based on their genetic makeup ("personalized" or "precision" medicine) is expanding rapidly, especially in the area of drug selection. Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing, when drugs and doses are selected based on an individual's genetic profile, is increasingly being used to guide the selection of drugs or therapies to optimize outcomes and minimize side effects. Based on an individual's genetic blueprint, health care providers now have important information about how a drug is likely to behave in that individual's body.

Gene editing: The power and risks of creation.

This article explores the origin of the first cellular structures, briefly examines the process of evolution, explores some of the earlier challenges in human gene editing, explains how bacterial immune systems have provided the secret to a very powerful gene editing tool, and finally explores some of the very troubling ethical issues emerging with gene editing.

Somatic Testing: Implications for Targeted Treatment.

Objective: To provide an overview of key considerations for somatic testing for the purpose of targeting cancer treatment.

Data Sources: Literature; research reports.

Conclusion: Genomic testing of cancer cells to identify variants that drive the carcinogenic process is becoming common in clinical settings.

Hypophosphatasia: A rare disorder.

Hypophosphatasia is a rare, progressive metabolic disorder inherited in either an autosomal dominant or an autosomal recessive fashion. Affected individuals may have unusual bone development. Infants may be diagnosed with infantile rickets.

Operational Readiness: Redesigning Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Curriculum for an Evolving Battlefield.

Introduction: The Global War on Terror and the ensuing Overseas Contingency Operations has rapidly transformed the U.S. military's strategic philosophy for warfare.