Striving for Precision: Enhancing Genetic Competency in Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Students

BACKGROUND: Research in genetics and genomics has led to the development of precision medicine, with health care increasingly individually based on one's genetic makeup. Implementation of genetics and genomics in primary care has been challenging given the rapid development of new advances. Clinicians report difficulties incorporating genetics and genomics in practice, citing insufficient knowledge, training, confidence, and resources for genetic diagnoses, testing, and result reporting. METHOD: Three pediatric nurse practitioner students participated in elective clinical rotations in pediatric genetics, with the goals of approaching all patients with genetic thinking, gaining competence collecting family health histories, and understanding available genetic resources. RESULTS: Postrotation, students gained genetic thinking skills, competence collecting a three-generational family health history to assess genetic risk factors and aid in genetic diagnosis, and the ability to navigate genetic resources. CONCLUSION: Genetics clinical rotations during primary care nurse practitioner education is an effective strategy to learn genetic and genomic competencies. [J Nurs Educ. 2018;57(11):690-693.].