Useful resources
This learning area has been compiled from a range of evidence. You may now be motivated to go deeper into the topic so a range of different resources are listed below and wherever possible we have tried to create direct links to them. Where direct linking is not possible we provide information on where sources can be accessed. These listings will get you started and as a lifelong learner you will be able to identify other sources beyond these that are specifically relevant to you.
If you find other useful material then perhaps you could share this by providing the details, or even writing a review and submitting this to learning.zone@rcn.org.uk where we will consider it for addition to the site.
If you don't find what you want in the list then good starting points for further exploration are the RCN Library Catalogue for books or the BNI (British Nursing Index) database for journals.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the RCN, select the link: Join the RCN.
Books
Please note - you need to be a member of the RCN to access the books, reports and journal articles links available from the RCN's e-library. Select the following link to login and gain direct access the full text version: RCN members.
Bradley-Smith G (2009) Oxford handbook of genetics, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available to borrow from RCN UK Library.
Haydon J (2007) Genetics in practice: a clinical approach for healthcare practitioners, Chichester: Wiley. Available online by opening this link and selecting "URL" in the new window.
Lashley F (2007) Essentials of clinical genetics in nursing practice, New York: Springer Publishing. Available to borrow from RCN UK Library.
Skirton H and Patch C (2009) Genetics for the health sciences: a handbook for clinical healthcare (Second edition), Bloxham: Scion Publishing. Available to borrow from RCN UK Library.
Vipond K (2011) Genetics: an introduction for students of nursing and health care, Exeter: Reflect Press. Available to borrow from RCN UK Library.
Journal articles
Cooley C (2008) Communicating genetics within primary care practice. InnovAiT, 1(8), pp. 575 -578. Select the link to access the free full text version on publishers website.
Cooley C (2011) Genetics and its relevance to palliative nursing practice, International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 17(11), November, pp. 524-530.
Cooley C (2012) Make the connection, Nursing Standard, 26(29), 21-27 March, p. 57.
De Sevo M (2010) Genetics and genomics resources for nurses, Journal of Nursing Education, 49(8), August, pp. 470-474.
Fardon P (2008) Taking and recording a genetic family history. InnovAiT, 1(8), pp. 554-560. Select the link to access the free full text version on publishers website.
Fawcett T and Rhynas S (2012) Taking a patient history: the role of the nurse. Nursing Standard, 26(24), 15-21 February, pp. 41-46.
Government articles
Genetics in Nursing and Midwifery Task and Finish Group (2011) Genetics/ genomics in nursing and midwifery: task and finish group report to the nursing and midwifery professional advisory board (PDF 1.07MB), London: Department of Health.
Great Britain Department of Health (2003) Our inheritance, our future: realising the potential of genetics in the NHS (PDF 450KB), Presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Health (NHS), London, Stationery Office.
Human Genomics Strategy Group (2012) Building on our inheritance: genomic technology in healthcare (PDF 825K), London: Department of Health.
HM Government (2012) Strategy for UK life sciences - one year on (PDF 3.62MB), London, Office for Life Sciences.
Websites
NHS UK Genetic Testing Network
The British Society for Human Genetic
Welcome Trust resources on Genes, Genomes and Health
RCN publications
Progress Educational Trust in partnership with The Royal College of Nursing (2006) A guide to genetics (third edition) (PDF 2.96MB), London: Royal College of Nursing.