The clinical nurse specialist and essential genomic competencies: charting the course.

Forging new frontiers is one description for the completion of the Human Genome Project (HGP) in 2003. This project produced a human DNA blueprint that is revolutionalizing society, changing healthcare, and producing new practice standards. With the genome map, scientists are identifying DNA variations that transform traditional models of health promotion, disease prevention, disease classification, treatment, and symptom management. The HGP is shifting emphasis from traditional genetics to an expanded genomic message. Nursing has responded to the HGP completion by establishing genomic nursing competencies. In 2005, the American Nurses Association (ANA), along with 48 nursing organizations, including the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS), endorsed minimum essential genetic/genomic nursing competencies for all registered nurses, regardless of education or specialty area. How does the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) explore the HGP frontier and integrate essential genomic nursing competencies into practice? This article discusses the HGP, the development of essential genetic/genomic nursing competencies, and the genomic role of the advanced practice CNS. A 1-day genomics program is described as a pilot project for integrating competencies in practice and education.