Genetics and paediatric nursing

In response to major research initiatives in genetics, the government has invested significantly in new programmes of research and development for NHS staff (Department of Health (DH) 2003. Nurses may feel that these programmes have not yet impacted on their area of practice and are unlikely to for some time. Other priorities may be felt to be more important. This article considers the impact of genetics on the work of nurses who care for children and young people. It introduces a short questionnaire which we are using to identify and fill any gaps in knowledge, training and resources for nurses to prepare them to 'realise the potential of genetics' (DH 2003) in their practice.