Optimizing the New Model of Nurse Practitioner Regulation in Canada to Support the Integration of Genomics.

The demand for genomic services has outpaced the capacity of the health system, thus creating opportunities for nurse practitioners (NPs) to develop genomic literacy and expand the genomics-informed services that NPs can offer to optimize safe and equitable healthcare. The new model of NP regulation that aims to educate all NPs, based on a set of common entry-level competencies, has the potential to accelerate the integration of genomics into education and practice. In this commentary, we explore opportunities within a new NP regulatory framework and highlight how NPs can strengthen Canadians' access to genomic technologies as clinicians, advocates, leaders, scholars and educators.

Fostering Pan-Canadian Collaboration to Advance Nursing Workforce Development: A Case Study From the Genomics Experience.

A skilled nursing workforce can ensure that Canadians have safe and equitable access to genomics-informed healthcare. Evidence-informed frameworks designed to support the implementation of genomics across nursing indicate that leadership and collaboration are critical to success. However, siloed provincial and territorial healthcare systems create challenges for harmonizing efforts.

Leadership Strategies for Genomics Integration: A Descriptive Study Using the Canadian Adaptation of the Genetics and Genomics Nursing Practice Survey.

The demand for genomic services that improve disease prevention, early detection and safer treatments has already outpaced the capacity of the current system. Nursing leadership strategies are urgently needed to integrate genomic discoveries into education and practice. Using findings from the national Canadian Adaptation of the Genetics and Genomics Nursing Practice Survey completed by 1,012 Canadian nurses, we recommend leadership strategies to build conducive practice environments and assist nurses in developing genomic literacy and confidence to fully participate in the integration of genomics into education and practice.

Nursing strategies to address health disparities in genomics-informed care: a scoping review.

Objective: The objective of this review was to map the available global evidence on strategies that nurses can use to facilitate genomics-informed health care to address health disparities to inform the development of a research and action agenda.

Introduction: The integration of genomics into health care is improving patient outcomes through better prevention, diagnostics, and treatment; however, scholars have noted concerns with widening health disparities. Nurses work across the health system and can address health disparities from a clinical, research, education, policy, and leadership perspective.

Developing leadership competencies for genomics integration through globally networked learning and education.

Aim: To describe the implementation and evaluation of an education strategy called the globally networked learning-genomics (GNL-G) used in Master's courses in Canada and Finland. The study focused on the feasibility and effectiveness of GNL-G in developing leadership competencies for integrating genomics into practice.

Methods: Interpretive description qualitative methodology was used to explore how GNL-G, global exchanges and assignments standardized with the Assessment of Strategies to Integrate Genomics in Nursing (ASIGN) tool influenced competency development.

Developing Policy Infrastructure to Guide Genomics-Informed Oncology Nursing in Canada: An Interpretive Descriptive Study.

Background: Genomic technologies such as genetic testing and precision treatments are rapidly becoming routine in oncology care, and nurses play an increasingly important role in supporting the growing demands for genomics-informed healthcare. Policy infrastructure such as competencies, standards, scope of practice statements, and education and curriculum frameworks are urgently needed to guide these practice and education changes.

Purpose: This study is part of a larger three-phase project to develop recommendations and catalyze action for genomics-informed oncology nursing education and practice for the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology and the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing.

Integrating genomics into Canadian oncology nursing policy: Insights from a comparative policy analysis.

Aim: To learn from two jurisdictions with mature genomics-informed nursing policy infrastructure-the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK)-to inform policy development for genomics-informed oncology nursing practice and education in Canada.

Design: Comparative document and policy analysis drawing on the 3i + E framework.

Methods: We drew on the principles of a rapid review and identified academic literature, grey literature and nursing policy documents through a systematic search of two databases, a website search of national genomics nursing and oncology nursing organizations in the US and UK, and recommendations from subject matter experts on an international advisory committee.

Genomics-informed nursing strategies and health equity: A scoping review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this scoping review is to map the available evidence on strategies that nurses can use to facilitate genomics-informed healthcare to address health disparities.

Introduction: Advancements in genomics over the last two decades have led to an increase in the delivery of genomics-informed health care. Although the integration of genomics into health care services continues to enhance patient outcomes, access to genomic technologies is not equitable, exacerbating existing health disparities amongst certain populations.

Pathways for Healthcare Organizations to Strengthen Indigenous Nurse Retention.

Call to Action #92 encourages corporations to apply the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as an organizational framework and provides concrete strategies to guide policy and operational activities to increase Indigenous participation in the economy (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada 2015b; UN 2007). Call to Action #92 and the UNDRIP are explored to provide strategies to decolonize mainstream healthcare organizations and promote workplace structures that assist Indigenous nurses in thriving in the work setting. The recommendations in this synthesis paper can be used by healthcare organizations to support Indigenous reconciliation in Canada.

Living with pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19 and the implications for clinical nursing practice: A qualitative systematised review.

Aim: To synthesise qualitative research on pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19 and identify patient needs and experiences to develop nursing care strategies.

Background: Qualitative research on long COVID by subtype has not yet occurred. As pulmonary sequelae constitute a serious long COVID subtype, exploring patient experience and needs can generate knowledge to guide nursing practice.

The Canadian Landscape of Genetics and Genomics in Nursing: A Policy Document Analysis.

Background: Genetics and genomics (GG) are transforming approaches to healthcare in Canada and around the globe. Canadian nurses must be prepared to integrate GG in their practice, but modest research in this area suggests that Canadian nurses have limited GG competency. Countries that have integrated GG across nursing provided guidance to nurses about the practice implications of GG through regional nursing policy documents.

Canadian nursing and genomics: An engagement initiative.

Advances in genome sequencing technologies and biomarker discoveries now inform individual risk assessments and treatment decision-making within cancer care. These advances have contributed to the emergence of precision healthcare where disease prevention and treatment recommendations are based upon individual genetic variability, as well as environmental and lifestyle considerations. To actively participate in precision healthcare and support patients, oncology nurses require specific knowledge and skills in cancer genomics.

Leading Canadian Nurses into the Genomic Era of Healthcare.

Genomics is having a profound impact on every aspect of healthcare. To support nurses to develop genomic literacy and integrate genomics into care, an engagement framework was created. The framework uses principles of nursing intraprofessional collaboration, the knowledge-to-action cycle and the diffusion of innovations theory.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Providers: Policy Implications for Pandemic Recovery.

Background: Notably higher rates of mental health issues have been reported among healthcare providers (HCPs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns over the impact of policy decisions on the well-being of HCPs is growing, yet it remains underexplored in the literature.

Method: HCPs from a 301-bed mental health hospital and a 408-bed acute care community hospital, both located in central Ontario, participated in interviews (N = 30) and answered open-ended questionnaires (N = 88) to provide their experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Healthcare Providers: A Comparison of a Psychiatric Hospital and a General Hospital.

Background: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers (HCPs) were already experiencing a higher prevalence of mental health disorders compared with non-healthcare professionals. Here, we report on the psychosocial functioning and stress resilience of HCPs who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large-sized psychiatric facility and a large acute care hospital, both located in central Ontario, Canada.

Methods: Participants completed five validated psychometric instruments assessing depression, anxiety, and stress (The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21, DASS-21); work-related quality of life (Work-Related Quality of Life Scale, WRQoL); resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, CD-RISC); anxiety about the novel coronavirus (Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, CAS); and loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale, ULS).

Commentary: Intraprofessional Collaborative Practice: Strengthening Nursing to Support Health System Transformation.

The complexity of nursing in Canada is evident in the diverse designations and jurisdictional approaches to legislation and regulation of the profession. The ever-evolving scope of practice of each designation of nursing shows the ability of nursing and nurses to adapt to the external environment and evolve to meet the needs of clients, the profession and the healthcare system. This commentary highlights the "made-in-Canada" research regarding intraprofessional collaboration.

Effects of COVID-19 on Healthcare Providers: Opportunities for Education and Support (ECHOES).

Healthcare providers (HCPs) working at point of care with patients have experienced health-, home- and work-related stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic. The magnitude and duration of the pandemic pose particular challenges for nursing leadership, and there is little research to guide them during this unprecedented time. This study was designed to explore how the pandemic influences HCP well-being, professional practice, inter-professional collaboration and the education and supports that would assist them during the pandemic recovery period.

Collaboration among Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses: A Scoping Review of Practice Guidelines.

Professional associations, nurse scholars, and practicing nurses suggest that intraprofessional collaboration between nurses is essential for the provision of quality patient care. However, there is a paucity of evidence describing collaboration among nurses, including the outcomes of collaboration to support these claims. The aim of this scoping review was to examine nursing practice guidelines that inform the registered nurse (RN) and registered/licensed practical nurse (R/LPN) collaborative practice in acute care, summarize and disseminate the findings, and identify gaps in the literature.

Globally networked learning: Deepening Canadian and Danish nursing students' understanding of nursing, culture and health.

Background: Providing intercultural learning experiences that assist students to develop cultural awareness and culturally safe nursing care is an important part of nursing education in Canada and Denmark. However, providing opportunities for students to study and travel to another country can be challenging given the strict requirements to meet entry-to-practice competencies and the timing of clinical placement courses. In an attempt to increase opportunities for students, an innovative strategy called Globally Networked Learning (GNL) that uses the internet and social media, was developed to enable Canadian and Danish nursing students to collaborate and complete a clinically oriented assignment.

Collaboration among registered nurses and practical nurses in acute care hospitals: A scoping review.

Aim: This study examined the extent, range, and nature of registered nurse (RN) and practical nurse (PN) collaboration in acute care hospitals and identified research gaps in the existing literature.

Background: Optimal patient care requires collaboration between RNs and PNs. A lack of unity and unresolved tension among different types of nurses influences collaboration and has significant implications on practice and the organizations where nurses work.

Joint Education Fosters Collaboration and Role Clarity Between Practical and Degree Nursing Students.

Background: Tensions and hierarchies among nurses who have different educational preparations can hinder effective communication and collaborative practices.

Method: A 2-year longitudinal cohort study involving 214 participants explored the influences of joint education on Canadian Practical Nursing (PN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) students.

Results: Joint education helps students dismantle unhelpful power relations, address myths and misconceptions about the other, and develop respect for each other's contributions to patient care.

Transforming practice into clinical scholarship.

Aim: The aims of this paper were to explicate clinical scholarship as synonymous with the scholarship of application and to explore the evolution of scholarly practice to clinical scholarship.

Background: Boyer contributed an expanded view of scholarship that recognized various approaches to knowledge production beyond pure research (discovery) to include the scholarship of integration, application and teaching. There is growing interest in using Boyer's framework to advance knowledge production in nursing but the discussion of clinical scholarship in relation to Boyer's framework is sparse.

The influences of nursing education on the socialization and professional working relationships of Canadian practical and degree nursing students: A critical analysis.

Background: Little evidence exists about how education influences the ways that registered nurses (RN) and registered practical nurses (RPN) negotiate their professional work relationships.

Design: This qualitative study used interviews and reflective writing from 250 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) and Practical Nursing (PN) students to explore how education constructs intraprofessional relations. The data were collected after two joint BScN/PN education events - one held in the first semester and one in the fourth semester.

The scholarship of application: recognizing and promoting nurses' contribution to knowledge development.

The generation of knowledge is fundamental to the practice of nursing and occurs through various forms of scholarship. Boyer recognized this and described knowledge production through research, integration, teaching, and application. The focus of this article is on the scholarship of application and its role in the development of nursing knowledge.