International collaboration on genomics education for nurses

The International Society of Nurses in Genetics began in 1988 as a venue for nurses around the world to advance their knowledge and practice related to genomics. This article discusses how the organization has conducted an annual international nursing conference, promoted the incorporation of genomics topics into continuing education programs and professional nursing journals, assisted with the incorporation of genomics content into undergraduate and graduate nursing curricula, and defined genetics as a clinical nursing specialty. Genomics education is relevant to nursing practice in all specialty areas and significant to the future of health care.