MINC Background

The primary aim of this Method for Introducing a New Competency: Genomics (MINC) into Nursing Practice study was to develop, implement, and evaluate a year-long genomic education intervention that trained, supported, and supervised institutional administrator and educator Dyads (Champions) to increase nursing capacity to integrate genetics and genomics into practice. Assessments of program satisfaction and institutional achieved outcomes helped them measure progress. Read more about this study in the Journal Articles section below.

Nurses can become Champions in their own workplace to enhance safe personalized healthcare. Champions as designers of delivery systems can accelerate the process of practice innovation by preparing their workforce and creating policies that assure delivery of responsible, effective, and accountable care that includes new competencies.

This toolkit has been developed based on innovative MINC Champion experiences, resources used, strategies tried, and outcomes achieved. They all expressed the need for such a toolkit when beginning their journey. Now based on their efforts, they provide options for you to try in your clinical setting.

The toolkit is structured in a question and answer format. The sections are not linear and may have some overlap. It is designed that way so that if you choose to go to the section of most interest to you, you will find what you need. Suggested resources are available for you to choose what would work best for you and your clinical setting. Finally, video testimonials are provided so that you can hear from those just like you who have taken on the challenge to overcome barriers to change and to accelerate genomics competency integration.

Administrators and educators who were actively involved in integrating genomics into their clinical settings provide commentary about their experiences. Hear words of guidance from these Champions that may help you in thinking about why you should focus on genomics in practice; where to begin; and strategies to consider.

Funding: The National Human Genome Research Institute provided funding for development of this website. Working with the contractor, d’Vinci Interactive of Hagerstown, MD, the format and structure for this site were created.

Following completion of the Method for Introducing a New Competency: Genomics (MINC) into Nursing Practice project, study participants suggested that we utilize their experiences and identified resources to create a toolkit for others looking to integrate genomics in their healthcare settings. The first step we took was to convene a small Advisory Panel from within the champion dyads and they attended a planning meeting June 15, 2015 to conceptualize the Genomic Nursing Toolkit. Based on their experiences, the outline for the toolkit was created and refined by the Advisory Group. The Champions assisted with the content write-up, provided resources of value to them, and helped review the toolkit contents prior to making it available to you. (2016)

Badzek, L., Calzone, K., Jenkins, J., Culp, S., & Bonham, V. (2013). Nursing leaders hold the key to translating genomics into practice. American Nurse Today. Dec, 8(12).

Calzone, K., Culp, S., Jenkins, et. al. Test/retest reliability of the genetics and genomics in nursing practice survey instrument. (2016). Journal of Nursing Measurement. 24(1):54-68 PMID:27103245.

Calzone, K., Jenkins, J., Culp, S., Caskey, S., & Badzek, L. (2014). Expanding RN Scope of Practice: A Method for Introducing a New Competency into Nursing Practice. Journal of Nursing Regulation. 5(1), 40-47 PMID:25343056.

Jenkins, J., Calzone, K., Caskey, S., Culp, S., Weiner, M., & Badzek, L. Methods of Genomic Competency Integration in Practice. (2015). Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 47(3):200-210 PMID:25808828.