Incorporating Genetics and Genomics into Nursing Practice: A Demonstration

Abstract

This article describes how nurses who previously had not focused on genetic and genomic care realized this knowledge was needed to provide optimal care to their patients and evolved their practice to include essential nursing genetic and genomic competencies. It describes the strategies used to gain the genetic and genomic competencies needed to care for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) patients, illustrates genetic and genomic competencies in practice, and delineates nursing’s contribution to the HHT team accomplishments. Future directions are discussed. This article is offered as a guide for other nurses striving to include genetic and genomic nursing competencies in their clinical practice.