Faculty members' perceptions of medical genetics and its integration into nurse practitioner curricula.
This study assessed faculty members' perceived knowledge of medical genetics concepts and conditions, the importance of integrating this content into NP curricula and how this was being done. During a national NP conference, 40 NP faculty voluntarily completed surveys. Participants' perceived knowledge of genetics varied; 35% noted low or very low knowledge, and only 5% reported high or very high knowledge. Most participants (95%) believed genetics is important, but only 10% reported having separate genetics courses in their NP programs. Approximately half of the participants reported personal involvement in genetics NP education, and 50% reported barriers to implementing it into their curricula. Most faculty indicated they did not feel comfortable teaching genetics, nor did they have formal training in the area. Advancing medical genetics into NP curricula will require ongoing faculty development and training to sustain and build genetics skills and competencies for advanced practice nurses.
Graduate Nursing Program, Howard University, College of Pharmacy Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Division of Nursing, Washington, DC, USA. quinognp@msn.com
Quannetta T
QT
Edwards
Ann
A
Maradiegue
Diane
D
Seibert
Charles
C
Macri
Lauren
L
Sitzer
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003479:Curriculum; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000592:standards; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education*; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States