NUR3306: Integration of Genetics and Genomics into Ethical Nursing Practice

Assignment Brief: Written Assignment – Ethical Dilemmas in Genetic and Genomic Nursing Care (2025)

As nursing students in this course, you explore how advances in genetics and genomics shape patient care while raising important ethical questions. This assignment asks you to examine a real-world scenario where genetic information creates ethical challenges for nurses. You will identify key ethical principles, analyze their application, and propose nursing strategies that respect patient autonomy, privacy, and justice.

Learning Objectives

• Identify ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in professional nursing practice involving genetics and genomics.
• Describe ethical theories and principles that influence healthcare decisions in genomic contexts.
• Explain the interrelationship between genetics, genomics, and ethics in nursing care.
• Design nursing care strategies that incorporate genetic and genomic risk factors while upholding ethical standards.

Assignment Scenario

You are a registered nurse working in a primary care clinic. A 42-year-old patient visits for routine follow-up after undergoing direct-to-consumer genetic testing. The results indicate a pathogenic variant in the BRCA1 gene, significantly increasing her risk for breast and ovarian cancer. She shares the results with you but states she has not told her two adult sisters, who may also carry the variant. She expresses fear of discrimination in employment and insurance and asks you to keep the information confidential from her family and medical record.

Instructions

Write a 1,500–2,000-word essay addressing the following components:

1. Describe the ethical dilemma: Outline the conflict between patient confidentiality and the potential duty to warn family members at risk.
2. Apply ethical principles: Discuss at least three relevant principles from the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics (e.g., autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice) and how they apply here.
3. Analyze legal and policy considerations: Reference the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and any relevant state laws on genetic privacy and disclosure.
4. Propose nursing interventions: Suggest evidence-based strategies for supporting the patient, including referral options, education on family implications, and documentation practices that protect privacy while promoting informed decision-making.
5. Reflect on nursing role: Explain how nurses can advocate for patients in genomic care while navigating ethical challenges.

Use APA 7th edition formatting. Include at least five scholarly sources published after 2019. Support all claims with evidence and rationales.

Submission Requirements

• Word document uploaded to the course portal.
• Double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font.
• Title page and reference list required.
• Due date: End of Module 8 (specific date provided in course schedule).

Grading Rubric Overview

Total: 100 points

• Depth of ethical analysis (40 points)
• Application of principles and policies (30 points)
• Quality of proposed interventions (20 points)
• Clarity, organization, and APA compliance (10 points)

NUR3306 assignments focus on preparing nurses to integrate genomics ethically into practice, addressing real dilemmas like genetic discrimination and family disclosure. This 2025 brief aligns with current competencies for handling BRCA variants and similar issues. Mastering these skills ensures safe, patient-centered care in the genomic era.

 References

• Calzone, K.A. et al. (2025) ‘Evaluation of the integration of genetics and genomics into nursing practice’, Journal of Nursing Scholarship. doi: 10.1111/jnu.70056.
• Badzek, L. et al. (2023) ‘Current state of genomics in nursing: a scoping review of healthcare provider oriented outcomes (2012–2022)’, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(22), p. 7028. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20227028. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10671121/.
• Consensus Panel on Genetic/Genomic Nursing Competencies (2021) Essentials of genetic and genomic nursing: competencies, curricula guidelines, and outcome indicators. Silver Spring, MD: American Nurses Association.
• Lea, D.H. et al. (2022) ‘Genomics in nursing education: a scoping review’, Nursing Outlook, 70(3), pp. 456-468. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2022.01.005.
• Tluczek, A. et al. (2020) ‘Factors associated with integration of genomics into nursing practice: a scoping review’, Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52(4), pp. 395-404. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12559.