Education and Training

Nurses and midwives are vital to providing genomic testing conversations, personalised care and better patient outcomes. As a nurse or midwife, we are able to empower families to make informed choices by ensuring we are up to date with developments in care.

Genomics in Nursing and Midwifery

All nurses and midwives need to have a basic understanding of genomics in the context of their role, which is why genomics is now included in the NMC standards of proficiency for registered nurses. Genomics is increasingly important, and the integration of genomic medicine into routine clinical care will not be possible without the work of nurses across the health service. Future nurse: Standard of proficiency for registered nursing (opens in a new tab) states:

The registered nurse will be able to demonstrate knowledge of epidemiology, demography, genomics and the wider determinants of health, illness and wellbeing and apply this to an understanding of global patterns of health and wellbeing outcomes.
Future nurse: Standard of proficiency for registered nursing

Please see the NMC proficiencies: relevance to genomic practice (opens in a new tab), which may prove useful when preparing for revalidation or annual appraisal.

Getting Started

Are you new to genomics? If you want to know more and create the foundations of knowledge in genomic medicine, the following resources have been developed for healthcare professionals with little or no previous genomics knowledge.

10 minute resources

30 minute 'Genomics 101' modules

Building on the basics

The following resources will help you to build upon your existing foundation of your genomics knowledge.

If you’re working with genomics in practice, or your service is evolving to include patient consent or other aspects of genomic testing, then these resources will be valuable to you.

You can sign up for a free, open access Patient choice: discussing whole genome sequencing with patients (opens in a new tab).

Facilitating genomic testing in practice

Points to consider when incorporating genomics into nursing and midwifery practice:

Who is the ‘East GMSA Genomics Link’ within your Trust?
Is there a local forum for nurses and midwives with elements of genomics in their roles?
What are your local governance processes around genomics in your Trust?
Do you access clinical supervision to support you in your role? Find out more about requirements for genetic counsellors (opens in a new tab) and consider how this could be of use in your role.

Becoming an expert

If you are a nurse or midwife working in a role that uses genomic testing and would like to extend your knowledge, there are several taught courses for you to explore.

Courses

For Midwives

For all

The University of the West of England (UWE) run a 15-credit level 7 module for nurses and other healthcare professionals entitled ‘Genomic and counselling skills for nurses and healthcare professionals (opens in a new tab)’.
Genetic Risk Assessment & Counselling Level 6 6KNIN640 (kcl.ac.uk) (opens in a new tab)
Introduction to the Counselling Skills used in Genomic Medicine - Genomics Education Programme (hee.nhs.uk) (opens in a new tab)
Health Education England's Genomics Education Programme offer a module from their master's in genomic medicine course, entitled Fundamentals in human genetics and genomics (opens in a new tab).

It is designed to provide healthcare professionals with a multidisciplinary perspective on genomics (opens in a new tab) and its applications in healthcare.

You can undertake continued personal and professional development (CPPD) modules, a postgraduate certificate or diploma, or a full master’s degree (opens in a new tab).

NHS professionals can apply for course funding. Funding is currently available for standalone CPPD modules up to March 2024, though you may be able to complete further modules to lead to a postgraduate qualification.

For Educators

Nursing Educator's Toolkit (opens in a new tab) (Genomics Education Programme).
Genomics for Educators (opens in a new tab) (Future Learn)

See the full range of training and support available from the Genomics Education Programme for Nurses (opens in a new tab) and Midwives (opens in a new tab).