Can a nurse specialize in genetics? Or should I go for my masters in Genetic Counseling?

[PianoTiles]

Hi everyone. I'm about to start my first semester of my ADN program next month. I have a health problem, and its causes me problems sometimes with flare ups...and its still relatively poorly understood, so there aren't any effective medications or treatments for it yet. Thankfully it is mild in comparison to the horror stories I've read online...I'm able to function, I just struggle with overwhelming fatigue,pain, etc.

I dont know how long I'd be able to handle bedside nursing because it is very physically demanding, even for healthy people. So, I'm trying to plan for my future in the event that I will not be able to work bedside as a nurse doing 12 hours shifts. I've been looking into getting my masters in Genetic Counseling after I get my ADN and BSN, but im wondering if it is possible for me to become a nurse practitioner and specialize in genetics, similar to something that a genetic counselor would do/be? I'm hesitant because a lot of people are going down the route of becoming a NP, and I've been reading that this can negatively impact the salaries of NP...

Im reading about whether or not a BSN would be an acceptable undergraduate degree prior to applying to Genetic Counselor programs, or if I should switch my major and get a Bachelors in some other science field...but any sort of information that you guys might know is greatly appreciated. Thanks :)

[llg, PhD, RN]

I advise you to talk with the Genetics Counseling people and find out the best route into their profession. I used to share an office with a Genetics Counselor and she was not a nurse. Both her undergraduate and graduate degrees were related to Genetic Counseling. It makes no sense to get a nursing degree if you don't see yourself being a nurse for very long.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I don't think there are a ton of options for nurses in the genetics field- unless you want to be a research nurse for genetic clinical trials.