Genomic literacy and competent practice: call for research on genetics in nursing education

Abstract

This article presents an argument for research on the practical outcomes of genetics education in professional nursing programs. Nurse educators should aggressively conduct educational outcomes research on the translation of genetics core competencies at all levels of clinical practice. There should be a systematic examination of the factors, that influence graduate nurses' applications of concepts to patient care including type of educational preparation in genetics. The best way to improve health is to understand normal genome biology and its relationship to disease biology. Assuring genetics and genomic literacy among all nurses is a crucial task for contemporary nursing education programs.