Jean F. Jenkins, PhD, RN, FAAN and Dale Halsey Lea, RN, CGC, APNG, FAAN. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2005. 411 pages ISBN 0-7637-3325-3. Price(USA): $51.95 (paperback)

Jean Jenkins and Dale Halsey Lea, highly respected nurses in the field of genetics and genomics, have provided us with a book that addresses the key competencies needed by practicing nurses in the 21^st century. Their book begins with an introduction that delineates why genomics knowledge is important for nursing practice. Subsequent chapters connect genomics to biology, practice, health benefits, and health outcomes. Additional topics include a framework for making a genetics referral, resources, and tools for decision making. Other chapters discuss the relationships among genetics and society, spirituality, and religion. Genetics research and living with a genetic condition are also covered. The final chapters focus on the integration of genomics into practice to improve health care and to promote the competencies for all health care providers promulgated by the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG).

Each chapter contains a case story that exemplifies the key points of the chapter. The individuals discussed are real and their stories illustrate the universality of genetics and genomics. The stories also show the impact of genetics and genomics on individuals and their families, which helps the reader to become familiar with how to integrate the information into practice.

Nursing Care in the Genomic Era: A Case-Based Approach is extraordinarily well written. Jenkins and Lea have the ability to make complex concepts understandable and relevant. The organization of the book makes genomics holistic rather than disease-based and promotes understanding of the universality of the constructs. Additional resource material is provided. The book is appropriate for nursing students, faculty, and nurses in practice, as well as those who are seeking to gain a working knowledge of genomics.

As the implications of the Human Genome Project are translated into nursing practice, it becomes increasingly clear that all health care providers of the 21^st century will be required to have basic competencies in genetics and genomics. The inter-relationship between genomics and the environment is especially important for nurses who care for clients with developmental disabilities. The increasing body of knowledge in this field will continue to have an impact on the provision of accurate, personalized information to clients and their families about causation and about treatment of the individual. An up-to-date knowledge base will be invaluable to nurses as they seek information about risk assessment, health promotion, medication metabolism, and the effect these issues have on individuals and their families. Jenkins and Lea have provided a highly readable resource.

Reviewed by Judith A. Lewis PhD, RNC, FAAN
Professor Emerita, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA