Changes in Italian Nurses' Genetic Knowledge and Perceptions Over a Decade

Genetic knowledge is increasingly important in nursing, yet often seen as of limited relevance. This study examines Italian nurses' genetic knowledge and perceived relevance, comparing current findings with data from a 2011 survey. A cross-sectional survey was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 504 nurses (95.1% of individuals logged in) completed the survey. Among those, 78.9% correctly answered at least four of five questions on Genetics knowledge, compared to 60.5% in 2011. There were no significant differences in knowledge by age or academic qualifications. A minority of respondents (26.9%) believed Genetics was highly relevant to the nursing role (26.8% in 2011) and only 8.3% of those reported high confidence in using genetics in their daily work (7.3%). Despite low perceived relevance, 30.6% expressed strong interest in receiving more education to support their practice and 56.1% indicated interest, though not as a high priority, compared to 44.9% and 41.3%, respectively, in 2011. Overall, although knowledge has improved over time, it remains insufficient to support confidence and integration into practice, highlighting the need for targeted genetic education in nursing.