Nursing Network for Assessment, Referral and Management

Learn genetics using case-oriented problems. The training includes assessment exams, sample presentations, and genetic resources. It is directed towards nurses in all specialties.

Recognize the following indicators of genetic disease:

  • Infants with feeding problems, unusual appearance, birth defects
  • Infants with lethargy, acidosis, abnormal metabolic screen (now >27 disorders)
  • Children with unusual appearance and/or developmental delay
  • Children with school problems and/or behavior differences
  • Adolescents with exercise fatigue, fainting spells; females with pregnancy risks
  • Couples with familial disease, advanced maternal age, miscarriages
  • Couples with ethnicity qualifying for genetic screening
  • Adults with familial vascular disease, joint laxity, sudden death
  • Adults with familial cancer, particularly cancer of early onset
  • Adults with familial mental illness or degenerative disease

Develop Genetic REYDAR (Recognize, Eydentify, Determine, Assess, Refer)

Contents

  1. A brochure for health care organizations to encourage appointment of nursing genetic coordinators and sharing of genetic resources
  2. A 200-page genetic primer highlighting relevant case presentations and assessment/referral guidelines followed by problem-oriented chapters on clinical genetics
  3. A dysmorphology checklist that can be used to document minor anomalies on physical examination 
  4. A genetic resource directory that includes nursing articles and contacts for genetics
  5. Power point presentations that can be modified for in-service and outreach education
  6. Examinations by discipline to allow self-assessment and evidence of mastery.