Teaching strategies to incorporate genomics education into academic nursing curricula.

The translation of genomic science into health care has expanded our ability to understand the effects of genomics on human health and disease. As genomic advances continue, nurses are expected to have the knowledge and skills to translate genomic information into improved patient care. This integrative review describes strategies used to teach genomics in academic nursing programs and their facilitators and barriers to inclusion in nursing curricula.

Development of the essential genetic and genomic competencies for nurses with graduate degrees.

Scientific advances in genetics and genomics are rapidly redefining our understanding of health and illness and creating a significant shift in practice for all health care disciplines. Nurses educated at the graduate level are well-prepared to assume clinical and leadership roles in health care systems and must also be prepared to assume similar roles related to genetic/genomic health care. This chapter describes the processes used to create a consensus document identifying the genetic/genomic competencies essential for nurses prepared at the graduate level.

The state of genomic health care and cancer. Are we going two steps forward and one step backward?

As the application of genomic information and technology crosses the horizon of health care into our everyday lives, expanding genomic knowledge continues to affect how health care services are defined and delivered. Genomic discoveries have led to enhanced clinical capabilities to predict susceptibility to common diseases and conditions such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Hundreds of genetic tests are now available that can identify individuals who carry one or more gene mutations that increase their risk of developing cancer or other common diseases.

Mammography decision making in older women with a breast cancer family history.

Purpose: This study's purpose is to describe and explain how women 55 years of age and older with a family history of breast cancer make screening mammography decisions.

Design: A qualitative design based on grounded theory. This purposeful sample consisted of 23 women 55 years of age or older with one more first-degree relatives diagnosed with breast cancer.

Identifying genetics and genomics nursing competencies common among published recommendations.

The purpose of this article is to identify published recommendations for genetics and genomics competencies or curriculum for nurses in the United States and to summarize genetic and genomic nursing competencies based on common themes among these documents. A review of the literature between January 1998 and June 2008 was conducted. Efforts were also made to access the gray literature.

Common hereditary cancer syndromes.

Objectives: To review cancer risk assessment and counseling, hereditary cancer syndrome risk factors, indicators for cancer predisposition testing, and interpretation of genetic test results.

Data Sources: Research studies, review articles, and authors' experience.

Conclusion: Approximately 10% of those with a diagnosis of cancer may have a hereditary predisposition.

Nursing in the genomic era: nurturing our genetic nature.

Now that sequencing the human genome is completed, nurses are challenged with applying this genetic information to nursing practice. Nursing has moved from the "old genetics" to the "new genetics," with the recognition that common diseases such as cancer and heart disease result from complex interactions between genetic factors and a variety of environmental exposures that trigger, accelerate, or exacerbate the disease process. The profession has moved to a model of Nurturing Our Genetic Nature where nursing care is affected by genetic influences on health, illness, and behavior and the interaction of genetic and environmental factors.