1.4 Unit Summary and Review
Key Takeaways
This chapter introduced genomics as a field of study with a related yet distinct focus from genetics. Some key terminology was provided that will be utilized throughout the book. The completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 provided fundamental information about the human blueprint and was a launching point for the acceleration of genomic sciences. As the use of genomic technologies becomes more commonplace in healthcare settings, nurses need genomic literacy to be able to provide safe and equitable care. While all nurses will encounter genomics at some point in their practice, certain roles require more specialized knowledge. It is also likely that as genomics is advanced in healthcare system, new roles for nurses will be created to meet workforce demands. The Canadian healthcare system has more work to do to be ready for the complete adoption of genomics. One area where nurses can advocate for change relates to developing policy infrastructure to guide genomics-informed nursing practice, education, and research. Finally, nurses are encouraged to get involved in genomics organizations in order to have a voice in how genomics is integrated into the nursing profession and the healthcare system to benefit patient care.
Additional Optional Readings:
Although this is an older article, it has an excellent summary table. Review p.171, Table 1 – Standards in Genetics and Genomics for General Nursing Practice.
- Kerber, A. S., & Ledbetter, N. J. (2017). Standards of practice: Applying genetics and genomics resources to oncology. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 21(2), 169–173. https://doi.org/10.1188/17.CJON.169-173
Discover how nurses and nursing leaders across Canada are working to accelerate the integration of genomics in practice, education, and research.
- Carlsson, L. & Limoges, J. (2022). Canadian nursing and genomics: An engagement initiative. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 32(4), 559–564. https://canadianoncologynursingjournal.com/index.php/conj/article/view/1318
- Limoges, J., Pike, A., Dewell, S., Meyer, A., Puddester, R., & Carlsson, L. (2022). Leading Canadian nurses into the genomic era of healthcare. Nursing Leadership, 35(2), 79–95. https://doi.org/10.12927/cjnl.2022.26869
- Canadian Nurses Association. (2020). Nurses poised to play key role in advancing precision care through genetics and genomics. https://community.cna-aiic.ca/blogs/cn-content/2020/10/26/nurses-poised-to-play-key-role-in-advancing-precis
Attribution and References
Except where otherwise noted, this page is created by Andrea Gretchev, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
