Cancer as a Platform for Genetics Education in the Undergraduate Nursing Curriculum.

Background: Nursing leaders and governing agencies have long requested more genetic content in the undergraduate nursing curriculum. Despite this, evidence in the literature detailing how to meet this objective is scarce.

Method: Using a familiar health condition such as cancer, undergraduate nursing students are introduced to the multiple genetic abnormalities that underlie the cellular dysregulation leading to carcinogenesis.

Results: Nursing students complete the course with a knowledge of cancer and its genetic underpinnings.

Conclusion: This approach facilitated integration of genetic content in a disease-focused nursing course.