Essential Nursing Competencies and Curricula Guidelines FAQ

Essential Nursing Competencies and Curricula Guidelines FAQ

Essential Nursing Competencies and Curricula Guidelines for Genetics and Genomics

Frequently Asked Questions

Who developed the Essential Nursing Competencies and Curricula Guidelines For Genetics and Genomics?

The essential competencies were developed by an independent panel of nurses leaders from clinical, research and academic settings on the basis of:

• The results of a review of peer-reviewed published work reporting practice-based genetic and genomic competencies, guidelines and recommendations.
  
  
• Input from nurse representatives to the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG) in January 2005.
  
• Public comment from the nursing community at large.
  
• Statements from conference attendees during open comment periods during a two day meeting of key stakeholders held September 21 and 22, 2005.

These competencies reflect a consensus and are NOT from any federal agency or single nursing organization.
This initiative was funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Human Genome Research Institute and Office of Rare Disease in collaboration with the American Nurses Association.

Which nurses are these competencies and curricula guidelines applicable to?

The genetic and genomic competencies are integral to the practice of all registered nurses regardless of academic preparation, practice setting, role or specialty.

Why were the genetic and genomic nursing competencies and curricula guidelines developed?

Genomics is a central science for nursing practice because essentially all diseases and conditions have a genetic or genomic component, options for care for all persons will increasingly include genetic and genomic information along the pathways of prevention, screening, diagnostics, prognostics, selection of treatment and monitoring of treatment effectiveness. These competencies are not intended to replace or recreate existing standards of practice but are intended to incorporate the genetic and genomic perspective into all nursing education and practice. The goal is to have a minimum basis by which to prepare the nursing workforce to deliver competent genetic and genomic focused nursing care.

Where can I find out more information about the stakeholders meeting in which consensus was achieved on the Essential Nursing Competencies and Curricula Guidelines For Genetics and Genomics?

• Information about the stakeholders meeting can be found at September 2005 Meeting [nursingworld.org]
  
• For a copy of the guidelines, go to: Essential Nursing Competencies and Curricula Guidelines For Genetics and Genomics

What are organizations agreeing to when they ENDORSE the Essential Nursing Competencies and Curricula Guidelines For Genetics and Genomics?

Nursing organizations that endorse the document agree with the content and will support and promote initiatives within their own organization to implement the competencies. The term of endorsement is five years. All endorsing organizations will be listed online at Endorsing Organizations.