Genetic discoveries: challenges for nurses who care for children and their families

Genetic discoveries emerging from the HGP are revolutionizing health care. With the potential to promote health and minimize disease through these discoveries, pediatric nurses will need to incorporate the health, ethical, and social aspects of this knowledge into their care of children and families. Genetic advancements are creating new challenges not only for nursing practice, but also for educational curricula. While genetic information and technology bring great potential for new ways to detect and manage a wide range of pediatric health problems, nurses must ensure that this information is managed in ways that will maximize benefit and minimize potential harm to children and their families. Educational preparation is critical to the application of genetic information and testing in health care of all clients. Pediatric nurses with adequate educational preparation in genetics now have an exciting opportunity to develop new skills and roles and make a significant contribution to genetic services and the advancement of nursing knowledge of children.