Find a Career as a Genetics Nurse?
Genetics nurses primarily work in inheritance and hereditary
traits of diseases and ailments in patients. Their work is
comprehensive and ever-changing, daily challenging them to push the
forefront of medical research and practice. Diseases that genetics
nurses work with include various types of cancer, sickle cell
anemia, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and even heart
disease. The talented men and women in this field compile a
complete medical and familial history of each individual patient in
order to gain a better understanding of the condition with which
their patients are afflicted with, this challenging field brings
out the best and the brightest in the field of nursing in order to
further general knowledge of hereditary ailments while improving
the hospital’s capacity to assist its patients.
In order to become a genetics nurse, first one must complete the
requirements to becoming a general nurse. This involves completing
a two year associate’s program, a certificate program from an
accredited nursing school, or a four year bachelor’s program from
an accredited university. Though the choice is entirely up to the
individual as to which option to take, it should be noted that as
genetics nursing is a highly specialized field, it would behoove
the candidate to have as strong of an educational background as
possible. To that point, most hospitals and private clinics look
more favorably upon applicants who have completed four year
programs. Following the individual’s completion of his or her
nursing program, it’s necessary to complete the National Council
Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse, or NCLEX-RN.
After becoming an officially licensed nurse, the candidate must
also acquire at least 5 years of clinical experience working in
genetics. This can be facilitated by expressing particular interest
in working in genetics during the applicant’s job interview
process, or completing an internship or job shadow in a
particularly genetics-intensive hospital or clinic. Most hospitals
also prefer that candidates have a master’s degree in genetic
nursing, which can be acquired through a program of study at an
accredited university. Interested parties can also get a
professional Genetics Clinical Nurse certification by successfully
passing a test administered by the Genetic Nursing Credentialing
Commission, or GNCC.
With an employment potential that’s expecting to grow 24% in the
next five years and an average annual salary of $46,000, becoming a
genetics nurse is a great option for parties who are seeking an
exciting and rewarding on the front of the medical field.