title: Nursing students' perceived knowledge and attitude towards genetics.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge base of nursing students regarding the topic of genetics and how this may change as a student progresses through the nursing program. A 70 item multiple-choice and dichotomous survey was given to freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior nursing students at a university school of nursing in the eastern part of the United States. Two hundred and seventy five pre-licensure nursing students, 255 females and 18 males, comprised the sample. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and the results concluded that there was a significant difference among the freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors in regards to having at least a 'minimal' knowledge or better of medical genetic terminology and conditions. Seniors reported a higher number of terms which they had at least a 'minimal' knowledge level or better than freshmen or sophomores. Also the juniors reported a higher number of terms which they had at least a 'minimal' knowledge level or better than sophomores.
authors.affiliation: chdodson@email.unc.edu
authors.forename: Crystal H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Dodson
authors.forename: Lynne P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Lewallen
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005823:Genetics / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012579:Schools, Nursing; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult