Other Titles

Advancing Genomics in Nursing Globally: Evidence-Based Education and Implementation Initiatives [Symposium Title]

Abstract

Precision health aims to tailor care for each person by incorporating genomic data and other biological information with relevant environmental, behavioural, and social determinants of health. Nurses, the largest healthcare profession globally and experts in the provision of personalized, holistic care, have a vital role in safe, quality, evidence-based precision healthcare (Dewell et al., 2024). To fully participate, nurses require an understanding of genomics relevant to their practice (Campion et al., 2019). However, integration of genomics into nursing curricula is highly variable (Calzone et al., 2018). This is in part due to lower levels of genomic knowledge among nursing faculty who need support and strategies to deliver genomics education and assess all domains of student learning (McLaughlin et al., 2024; Thomas et al., 2023). By taking advantage of existing approaches and technology, nurse educators can be supported to seamlessly integrate genomics into existing curricula. In this presentation, we will use a train-the-trainer model using examples to highlight where and how to integrate genomics from foundational science to specialized practice in both undergraduate and graduate-level programs. We will describe key resources to help with course and program revision. Nursing education must adapt to the changing approach to healthcare and be nimble enough to incorporate new information, technologies, and changes to practice as genomic science advances. Using and building on initiatives that have been developed and evaluated is vital to transforming curricula that prepare nurses for up-to-date, evidence-based practice in an evolving healthcare landscape.

Notes

References:

Calzone, K. A., Kirk, M., Tonkin, E., Badzek, L., Benjamin, C., & Middleton, A. (2018). The global landscape of nursing and genomics. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 50(3), 249–256. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12380

Campion, M., Goldgar, C., Hopkin, R. J., Prows, C. A., & Dasgupta, S. (2019). Genomic education for the next generation of health-care providers. Genetics in Medicine, 21(11), 2422–2430. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41436-019-0548-4

Dewell, S., Muglia, K., Graves, L., Joseph, R., Mangold, K., Roselli, L., Ersig, A., & Walker, T. (2024). Essential of genomics in nursing undergraduate education: A discussion paper. Nurse Education in Practice, 81,104175, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2024.104175

McLaughlin, L., Mahon, S. M., & Khemthong, U. (2024). A systematic review of genomic education for nurses and nursing students: Are they sufficient in the era of precision health? Nursing Outlook, 72(5), 102266, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2024

Thomas, J., Keels, J., Calzone, K., Badzek, L., Dewell, S., Patch, C., Tonkin, E., & Dwyer, A. (2023). Current state of genomics in nursing: A scoping review of healthcare provider oriented (clinical and educational) outcomes (2012–2022). Genes, 14(11), 2013, https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14112013

Description

Overall Symposium Summary: The mainstreaming of genomics into clinical care is changing healthcare worldwide and nurses have an essential role in this evolving landscape. In this symposium we will discuss global, national, and local efforts to address identified gaps preventing nurses from fully participating in this new era of care, including the development of essential genomics competencies, the role of academic-practice partnerships, and strategies to seamlessly integrate genomics into existing curricula.

Note: The attached slide deck is a combined symposium presentation containing the slides of all featured symposium speakers.

To locate the other presentations in this symposium, search the repository by the Symposium Title shown in the Other Title field of this item record.

Author Details

Sarah Dewell, PhD, MSc, RN (Canada); Trina Walker, DNP, APRN, FNP-C (USA); Patricia Birch, BSc, MSc RN (Canada); Carol Cremin, MSc (Canada); Colleen Guimond, MSc (Canada); and Leah P. Macfadyen, PhD (Canada)

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Other

Research Approach

Other

Keywords:

Genomics, Nursing Education, Competence, Train-the-Trainer, Precision Health

Conference Name

36th International Nursing Research Congress

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Seattle, Washington, USA

Conference Year

2025

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Click on the above link to access the slide deck.

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Integrating Genomics into Nursing Education

Seattle, Washington, USA

Precision health aims to tailor care for each person by incorporating genomic data and other biological information with relevant environmental, behavioural, and social determinants of health. Nurses, the largest healthcare profession globally and experts in the provision of personalized, holistic care, have a vital role in safe, quality, evidence-based precision healthcare (Dewell et al., 2024). To fully participate, nurses require an understanding of genomics relevant to their practice (Campion et al., 2019). However, integration of genomics into nursing curricula is highly variable (Calzone et al., 2018). This is in part due to lower levels of genomic knowledge among nursing faculty who need support and strategies to deliver genomics education and assess all domains of student learning (McLaughlin et al., 2024; Thomas et al., 2023). By taking advantage of existing approaches and technology, nurse educators can be supported to seamlessly integrate genomics into existing curricula. In this presentation, we will use a train-the-trainer model using examples to highlight where and how to integrate genomics from foundational science to specialized practice in both undergraduate and graduate-level programs. We will describe key resources to help with course and program revision. Nursing education must adapt to the changing approach to healthcare and be nimble enough to incorporate new information, technologies, and changes to practice as genomic science advances. Using and building on initiatives that have been developed and evaluated is vital to transforming curricula that prepare nurses for up-to-date, evidence-based practice in an evolving healthcare landscape.