Strategies for Infusing Pharmacogenomics into NP Education

The National Human Genome Project has mapped the human genome. Genomics knowledge has been increasing exponentially.  It is essential that NP’s have increased genomics knowledge and skills.  NP’s must understand how to more effectively integrate genomics into clinical care decision making. 

NP’s order pharmacological agents to manage client health problems. Pharmacogenomics is the connection between drugs and genomics.  To effectively implement the prescribing role, NP’s knowledge and skills of pharmacogenomics must be increased.  Pharmacogenomics impacts prescribing decisions and designing personalized pharmaceutical treatment plans. Incorporating pharmacogenomics into pharmacological management will improve patient safety.

APRN genetic and genomic competencies identify the need for APRN's to incorporate genomic knowledge into pharmaceutical decision making. 

Approaches to effectively build pharmacogenomics learning activities into NP education will be reviewed.