Genetics Nursing
Genetics nursing is a relatively new field of nursing. It was only in 1997 that the American Nurses Association fully recognized genetics as a specialized nursing field. But, even before that, nurses were already working in genetics as early as the 1960s. Today, it is one of the fastest growing nursing specialties. It is also one of the most controversial. But controversy aside, genetics nursing is as important as any nursing field out there.
What is Genetics Nursing
Genetics nursing is a field of nursing that involves taking care of patients with genetic disorders. These disorders include hereditary conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers and others. Genetic nursing also involves genetic research and genetic screening and mapping. Nurses in this field often find themselves working in areas such as prenatal centers, tertiary health care settings, research facilities, etc.
Roles of a Genetics Nurse
The genetic nurse takes on several roles. Their role depends greatly on the area that they are assigned in. Nurses who work in healthcare facilities often find themselves taking on the role of direct and indirect caregivers. These nurses may also work as nurse managers, medicating nurses, charge nurses, staff and head nurses and so on.
Other roles of genetic nurses include being educators and researchers. Genetics nurses are also responsible for taking a patient’s family history. They may also provide genetic counselling to couples looking to have healthy kids.
Ethics and Genetics
Genetics has been a very controversial field ever since it was first introduced. The idea of meddling with a human being’s basic genetic makeup has been drafted as just an opportunity for health professionals to ‘play god’. But, the truth is that genetics and genetics nursing aren’t as negative as they are being portrayed by popular media. It doesn’t always involved cloning, nor is it a field that focuses on changing a person’s basic genetic makeup. No, genetics is a field of medicine aimed at helping people to get better and fight diseases.
No matter how many genetic professionals defend their field there will always be people who are uneasy with it. That is why it is important that a nurse consider the profession thoroughly before jumping into it. The nurse must be comfortable enough to do the basic tasks involved in genetics nursing. If not, then it is probably best for the nurse to look for another specialty.
Opportunities for Employment
Nurses in the field of genetics often find themselves working in any one of the following settings:
Prenatal Centers – these are centers that focus on prenatal care as well as screening for fetal genetic defects. Generic nurses in this area also work with patients an clients in need of genetic counselling.
Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare settings – these settings include hospitals, clinics and health center. Genetic nurses work in this field by indentifying genetic disorders. They are also the ones who refer patients to the proper care facilities.
Industrial and School Health – Genetic nurses may also find employment in the Industrial and scholastic setting. Genetic nurses in these fields may specialize in genetic screening. If required, they would be the ones screening patients and students for possible genetic conditions.
Specialized Care Units – Specialized care units include, oncology centers, pediatric facilities, gerontological units and more. Genetic nurses who find employment in these settings work as staff and administrative nurses with a special knowledge in genetic conditions.
Research Facilities – a lot of genetic nurses find themselves working in research facilities. Genetic nurses working in this field may find themselves working in Genetics research. Research projects may include: stem cell research and genetic mapping.
Published at: 07/07/2015
