Increasingly, genomic-based approaches and resources are redefining our categorization of disease, leading to new approaches to prevention and therapy. As nurses traditionally practice patient-oriented care, they will undoubtedly play a key role in both developing and applying the aspects of genomic health care. Nursing Care in the Genomic Era: A Case Based Approach is designed to provide nurses with up-to-date and accessible information on this powerful new approach to understanding, preventing, and treating disease.

The framework for each chapter consists of core competencies in genetics, interwoven with stories that highlight a particular condition and the related biological, personal, and psychosocial issues. The chapters then go on to address the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for nurses and health professionals as recommended by the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG). The text presents the genetic components of common diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s, and the innovative technologies used to detect them.

Understanding genomic issues and how they affect individuals and families is the first step for nurses hoping to make a difference when providing nursing care in the genomic era.