The integration of medical genetics into nursing is crucial for several reasons:
1. Patient Education: Nurses often serve as the primary source of information for patients and their families. By understanding genetics, nurses can explain genetic conditions, testing, and implications effectively.
2. Risk Assessment: Nurses can assess family histories to identify individuals at risk for genetic diseases and refer them for genetic counseling or testing.
3. Personalized Care: Knowledge of genetics allows nurses to participate in personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored based on an individual's genetic makeup.
