Following consensus of over 50 major stakeholders at a meeting held on September 21-22, 2005 at the ANA offices in Silver Spring, Maryland, the minimal core competencies for all nurses regardless of academic preparation, role or specialty have now been identified and are posted below. The competencies were developed on the basis of the following:

• the results of a review of peer-reviewed published work reporting practice-based genetic and genomic competencies, guidelines, and recommendations

• input from nurse representatives to the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG) in January, 2005

• public comment from the nursing community at large

• statements from conference attendees during open comment periods during the two-day meeting of key stakeholders held September 21 and 22, 2005

The competencies are based on the state of the evidence available at the time they were developed and reflect the MINIMAL amount of genetic and genomic competency expected by every nurse. These competencies reflect a consensus and are NOT from any Federal Agency or single Nursing Organization and are applicable to the practice of all registered nurses regardless of academic preparation, practice setting, role, or specialty.

Review and Endorse The Guidelines

The Essential Nursing Competencies and Curricula Guidelines for Genetics and Genomics document is now available for your review and consideration. You are asked to respond by March 30, 2006 with your organization's decision on:

1. Endorsing the genetic/genomic nursing competencies

2. Agreement to be listed in the final competency document as an endorsing organization

3. Communication plan for disseminating the competency document to the your membership

The term of endorsement is 5 years. All endorsing organizations will be listed on this Web site. The deadline for endorsement is March 30, 2006 to have your organization listed as endorsing in the published monograph of the document. Your organization's decision on endorsement should be sent to: Jean Jenkins via e-mail (jean.jenkins@nih.gov) or by phone at 301-496-4601.

View the Competencies and Guidelines

Endorsments of the Genetics Competencies