Linking: Nursing Knowledge and Genomics (LINKAGE)

Impact Story

Written by Aiko Uehara

Interaction with Faculty Members and Students of Nursing from across Canada and the United States

Linking: Nursing Knowledge and Genomics (LINKAGE) was developed by Dr. Sarah Dewell ―an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at Thompson Rivers University― with support from Noopur Swadas ―a registered nurse and a research consultant at Thompson Rivers University― and Dr. Trina Walker ―an assistant professor in the Family Nurse Practitioner Doctoral Program at Creighton University’s College of Nursing. This project serves as an engaging online study tool for nursing students and those studying genetics, showcasing the expertise of Dr. Dewell and Dr. Walker.

The project began in 2019 during Dr. Dewell’s PhD studies at the University of Calgary, with Noopur Swadas contributing as a research assistant during her undergraduate studies at the same university. Initially, the module was available only to nursing students and faculty within a localized learning management system. However, a crucial meeting between Dr. Dewell and Dr. Walker at the International Society of Nurses in Genetics World Congress during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired them to expand the project’s accessibility. 

“The TRU Open Press is [a] Time-Saver and [source of] Technology Expertise.” – Dr. Dewell and Dr. Walker

The TRU Open Press played a essential role in the development and expansion of LINKAGE, offering vital technical support such as website development, transforming PowerPoint presentations into online modules, and creating audio transcripts and videos. In addition, the TRU Open Press helped accelerate the publishing process and ensured the project met the technological needs of the team. Noopur noted that the TRU Open Press was highly responsive and communicative, which allowed her to gain new skills in educational design, module development, and website management. Having a reliable team to collaborate with and clearly communicate the project’s vision was essential for Noopur, as it enabled her to create an easily accessible resource for nurses across Canada.

Accessible for Students, Instructors, and International Users

The LINKAGE project is designed with user-friendliness in mind by making navigation simple and intuitive for students. Users can access videos and audio materials at their convenience. For educators, the platform offers time-saving features such as password-protected quizzes and assignments that can be easily integrated into their courses.

As an open educational resource (OER), LINKAGE also benefits international users. Dr. Dewell and Dr. Walker are actively involved in the International Society of Nurses and Genetics, where they serve the profession of nursing. The project includes a “Community Board” section for collaboration and resource sharing among nurses interested in genomics, promoting inclusion and dialogue across Canada and the US.

Dr. Dewell emphasizes the importance of discussing ethical issues in genomics. She plans to incorporate these critical discussions into the modules as well.

Challenges and Contributions

One of the significant challenges Noopur faced during the project was recruitment. Ensuring the content was relevant and appropriate for nurses of all levels was important, which required gathering participants from diverse regions across Canada. Recognizing that nurses come from a wide range of disciplines and experiences, she emphasized the importance of including many different perspectives to ensure the project represented various backgrounds and specialties within the nursing profession, recognizing that nurses come from a wide range of disciplines and experiences.

Throughout the project, Noopur had the opportunity to share her experiences with colleagues and faculty members as LINKAGE had fostered a growing community of nurses eager to expand their knowledge of genomics. This community continues to grow, and Noopur is proud to be part of its development.

Looking Ahead: Future Developments

“LINKAGE is about connecting nurses.” – Noopur Swadas

Currently, the team is developing seven additional modules: one foundational module covering basic genetics and genomics concepts and six advanced modules that align with advanced practice roles. They aim to gather feedback from users across Canada and the US to refine and enhance the advanced content. They are also looking forward to collaborating with the TRU Open Press again to further develop the project.

In addition, Dr. Dewell is exploring how to integrate these modules into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum at TRU. She is engaging with curriculum committee chairs to facilitate the inclusion of LINKAGE resources into nursing education.

Noopur believes the skills and insights gained from her work on LINKAGE will be invaluable for future collaborations. She is confident that the project’s communication strategy will continue to benefit the nursing community, particularly those studying or teaching genomics across Canada and the US.

Moreover, Noopur remains deeply committed to advancing nursing genomic education. She is actively working to raise awareness of genomics and promote its integration into nursing practice.

Through this innovative project, Dr. Dewell, Dr. Walker, and Noopur are not only creating an accessible OER for nursing educators and students but also fostering a collaborative community across borders, enhancing the knowledge and skills of future nursing professionals.