Genetic knowledge possessed by American nurses and nursing students

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Genetics
• Medical Education

Background:

• Genetic diseases pose increasing public health challenges.
• Nurses play a vital role in patient education and referrals for genetic services.
• Gaps in nursing knowledge can lead to inadequate genetic counseling and misinformation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge of nursing students and practicing nurses regarding genetic disorders.
• To evaluate understanding of genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and risk interpretation.
• To identify areas for improvement in nursing education on human genetics.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was administered to 366 senior nursing students and 114 practicing nurses.
• The survey assessed knowledge of common genetic disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease, Rh disease, Down syndrome).
• Data analysis examined the relationship between student program type, age, and knowledge scores.

Main Results:

• Only 4.2% of respondents demonstrated overall adequate knowledge of genetic disorders.
• Student program type and age were significantly related to knowledge levels.
• Significant deficiencies were noted in understanding common genetic conditions and risk assessment.

Conclusions:

• Current nursing knowledge regarding genetic disorders is largely inadequate.
• There is an urgent need to enhance genetic education within nursing curricula and professional development.
• Improving nurses' genetic knowledge is essential to ensure appropriate patient counseling, health teaching, and referrals, thereby preventing adverse health outcomes.