Genetics and community health nursing

Genetic discoveries affect the practice of community health nurses. These nurses identify groups at risk for genetic diseases and participate in newborn screening, carrier detection testing, and presymptomatic genetic testing programs. Community health nurses also provide direct nursing care to individuals with genetic disorders. Protecting clients from harmful use of genetic information, planning and implementing genetic screening programs, and identifying genetic resources are essential components of the community health nurse's role. Copyright (c) 1998 by Aspen Publishers, Inc.