Advancing worldwide nursing practice strategies to transform the global health of families through the translation of contemporary genetic/genomic science and technology into practice

17^th World Congress on Clinical Nursing & Practice

August 29-30, 2018 | Zurich, Switzerland

Beth Harkness

Childrens National Health System, USA

Keynote: Adv Practice Nurs

Abstract :

In this era of precision medicine, limited strategies are available for educating the workforce of nurses to the global science of genetics/genomics. In response to this contemporary issue, this presentation will describe methods for translating the recent advances in genetics/genomics into the infrastructure global nurse education. A multi-modality educational program and implementation framework was developed based on Everett Rogersâ??s Diffusion of Innovations Theory and the genetic / genomic competencies for nursing comparative approaches and outcomes were evaluated. Surveys were implemented pre and post interventions to nurse participants with broad demographic backgrounds. The national collaboration stimulated a synergy that created a convergent vision leading to the development of an electronic process platform. Post survey findings; nurses stated greater understanding of implication of genetics/genomics; family history as the first genetic tool for the prevention and treatment of genetic conditions, concise electronic communication/education preferred, increased belief that genetics/genomics is part of each of nurses scope of practice. Time constraints and leadership resources challenged success and sustainability. Infrastructure for policy, procedures and sustainability needed to be established for greater success. Leveraging various national cohorts increased education and awareness of clinical family nursing practice in the precision medicine era. A web platform has been developed with the aggregate of resources from the research collaboration and an implementation pathway for nurse leadership and educators around the globe. Post survey results demonstrated the family nursing profession is poised and ready for the challenge of translating new science into practice to promote preventive care and treatment for families globally.

Biography :

Beth Harkness has over a decade of experience providing clinical care and disease management to the pediatric and adult cystic fibrosis population and managing cystic fibrosis research at Children's National in Washington, DC, USA. Her special area of interest focuses on the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis disease and connections to care for the population affected with this genetic disease. In 2009, she has conceptualized and implemented a program for the advancement of genetic/genomic awareness and education at Children's National and now works in collaboration with National Institute of Health (NIH) on Methods for Introducing New Competencies (MINC) in nursing.