Understanding genomics and its use in healthcare is becoming more relevant to nursing practice, as reflected in its inclusion in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)’s standards of proficiency for registered nurses. It’s important that nurses are able to talk about genomics to patients and colleagues with confidence but, for many, there is a need to upskill.
There are a range of educational and training resources to support genomics learning; however, it can be difficult to know where to start. In response to this, the Genomics Learning Passport has been developed to guide you through the key resources, from fundamental concepts through to specialist learning. Developed by nurses, for nurses, the design of the passport allows users to create a bespoke genomics learning journey in a format that meets the requirements for revalidation.
Learn and share
For more information about the Passport, how it was developed and practical advice on how it can be used, please see the FAQs below.
We encourage you to share the Passport with your colleagues. However, please only do so by sharing using the link to this page to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
Note: The Passport development team welcome your feedback. Please share your experiences of using the Passport with the team.
Finally, similar resources are being developed for both midwives and for specialist community public health nurses. Please contact the development team to find out more.
Frequently asked questions
What are the aims of the Passport?
The Genomics Learning Passport for Nurses aims to:
- provide a user-friendly guide to direct nurses towards the key education and training resources for genomics learning and help support the requirements of the NMC standards of proficiency for registered nurses;
- create a personal genomics learning record in a format that is compatible with the requirements for revalidation; and
- promote key clinical and educational resources relevant to nurses that are produced by the NHS England Genomics Education Programme.
Who is this for?
This resource has been created for all nurses, from newly qualified to highly experienced, whatever your sphere of practice. It is structured in four parts:
- Part 1 begins with the foundational genomic essentials and core concepts that are crucial for all nurses to understand. This section covers the basic principles of genomics, including key terminology, the role of genomics in healthcare, and how it impacts patient care.
- Part 2 delves into more focused areas of genomics, offering knowledge tailored to the needs of nurses working in specialist roles. This section is designed to empower those who wish to deepen their understanding of genomics in clinical practice.
- Part 3 builds on the foundational and intermediate knowledge by introducing more complex and advanced areas of genomics, making it ideal for nurses who are already familiar with genomics and want to take their expertise to the next level.
- Part 4 points to resources and information to help nurses continue their learning beyond the Passport. It includes details on where to find more advanced educational resources and guidance on postgraduate study.
Nursing students may also benefit from using the Passport, but we advise you to discuss this with your tutor first.
How do I use the Genomics Learning Passport for Nurses?
- Download the Passport here (see linked document on this page) and save to your personal files. It is a Word document, so easy to complete and edit where necessary.
- The Passport introduces you to learning resources in a logical order, along with a brief description and estimated time for completion. The hyperlinks take you direct to each resource.
- Work through the resources that are relevant to your learning needs, at your own pace, and record as you complete each one. You can add in additional learning or delete modules not relevant to your level of experience or practice, to create a bespoke record of your learning journey.
- The Passport is based on the NMC continuing professional development (CPD) activity log and therefore meets the requirements for recording CPD for revalidation.
- Use of the Passport is not mandatory; however, we recommend all nurses complete the resources listed in part 1 to provide a basic understanding of genomics, which supports the requirements in the NMC standards.
- The recommended time frame for completion of part 1 is two years.
Although the Passport might look daunting to start with, we advise that you start with part 1 and focus on just one activity at a time.
Why was the Passport developed?
The Passport was created to help nurses improve their understanding of genomics and build their skills in this important area of healthcare. It supports the NMC standards of proficiency, ensuring that nurses meet the required competencies for modern practice. It also aligns with NHS England’s strategy, Accelerating Genomic Medicine in the NHS, which aims to make genomics a core part of everyday healthcare.
By using the Passport, nurses can contribute to achieving the goals outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan, which focuses on delivering more personalised and effective care for patients through advancements in genomic medicine.
Who developed the Passport?
The concept of the Passport was initially developed by the Central and South Genomic Medicine Service Alliance nursing and midwifery team.
The content of the Passport was peer reviewed by nurses working within the field of genomics via the national Nurses in Genetics and Genomics Network.
Subsequently, the Passport underwent a further pilot using feedback from nurses working in a variety of roles and levels of experience, including those from clinical (non-specialist), specialist and educationalist backgrounds. This feedback was used to produce the Passport in its current version.
Will the Passport be updated?
Yes, this is the first iteration of the Genomics Learning Passport for Nurses. The Passport will be revised as new learning resources are developed. Any feedback you can provide from your use of the resource is welcomed. Please contact the Passport development team.
Does this resource have any conflicts of interest?
This resource does not conflict with legislation or regulatory guidance. It has been developed by publicly funded bodies with no conflicts of interest.
