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16 | Volume 93, Issue 3 | Ohio Nurses Review | www.ohnurses.org
Creating a Nursing Portfolio
By Margaret K. Burns, RN-BC, CCRC, BSN, MS
PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO
Portfolios are no longer solely the domain of artists, architects,
photographers, and models. They are considered an essential tool in demonstrating professional accomplishments and
documenting professional growth for a variety of professions
(Williams, & Jordan, 2007).
What is a Professional Portfolio?
A professional portfolio is evidence of the nurse’s skills,
achievements, and professional experience (Dennison, 2007). A
resume or curriculum vita (CV) is part of the portfolio. There are
two kinds of professional portfolios:
1. Growth and Development Portfolio and
2. Best Work Portfolio.
A Growth and Development Portfolio depicts evidence of the
nurse’s education and achievements. It is used to plan continuing
education and professional development.
A Best Work Portfolio is a collection of materials from the
Growth and Development Portfolio for review by others for a
specific purpose as a promotion, award or an evaluation. Select
items that are most relevant for the position, promotion, or
recognition.
Who uses portfolios?
Nurses, throughout the world, use portfolios. Internationally, nurses in Australia, are required to develop and maintain
portfolios that demonstrate the assessment of their practice, the
currency of their practice and continuing professional development (CPD). These nurses have an annual review process.
In 2013, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in
the Certification through Portfolio General Handbook, outlines an
alternative method for certifying registered nurses and advanced
practice registered nurses in specialties where a certification exam
is unavailable. An example is the “Genetic Clinical Nurse” credentialing process, which requires a professional portfolio.
In addition to certification requirements for some specialties,
the nurse can use a portfolio to document competencies and
achievements during evaluations, and for applications regarding
promotions or awards. A professional portfolio, which outlines
the Advanced Practice Nurse’s qualifications, “can be helpful in
facilitating the credentialing and privileging processes (Kleinpell, Hravnak, Hinch, & Llewellyn, 2008).
Why create a portfolio?
There are at least three reasons to create a portfolio: 1. Self
Promotion; 2. Evidence of Outcomes; and 3. Structure and
Direction.
Self Promotion
The nurse can show the future employer or current manager
competencies, and accomplishments! The nursing student is
required to document clinical experiences as part of the course
requirements. The novice nurse could compile descriptions of
work assignments and learning mastery as part of the orientation. The experienced nurse, while preparing for a promotion,
consideration of an award, advancement on a clinical ladder, or
appointment to a community or professional organization position, can use a portfolio for the process.
Evidence of Outcomes
Regulatory agencies, accrediting bodies and credentialing boards
are seeking evidence of nursing competence (Dion, & Smolenski, 2008). Examples include the documents required with the
Magnet Recognition Program and for grant applications.
Structure and Direction
By compiling and examining the collection of documents in the
portfolio, the nurse can identify areas of practice, which need
www.ohnurses.org | Ohio Nurses Review | Volume 93, Issue 3 | 17
attention. Goal setting, the delineation of concrete plans to eliminate deficiencies and to obtain new competencies should follow
this reflection. This process needs to occur at least every 6-12
months. Collect – Reflect – Assess – Plan!
What are the parts of a nursing portfolio?
The portfolio can “showcase professional accomplishments”
(Williams, & Jordan, 2007).
Elements in a Nursing Portfolio
Although the following list is not exhaustive, it provides a start
for amassing the document:
• Demographic data on a cover page
• Table of Contents
• Education validation with copies of transcripts
• Professional license verification and certifications
• Professional experiences
• Professional memberships
• Teaching roles and responsibilities
• Leadership activities as preceptor or committee chair
• Awards, recognitions, and promotions
• Consultations
• Grants
• Audio and video productions
• Publications and scholarly work
• Poster presentations
• Recent presentations
• Community activities and service
• Continuing education certificates and records of attendance at
professional programs; keep the written course objectives and
handouts
• Evaluations from managers, peers, attendees, and students
• Notes of appreciation and letters of recommendation
• Current professional references
• Resume or Curriculum Vita
• Business cards
• Analysis: identify strengths, areas for improvement, goals
(short and long term), and plans to meet future goals with a
timeline
Remember to use only objective information that can be
verified. Always maintain patient confidentiality. Additionally,
follow the facility’s policies and procedures regarding information sharing with others.
How to start the process:
• Collect the documents.
• File the information as it becomes available. Place items
chronologically, beginning with the most recent data.
• Several times per year and as needed, transfer this information
to a formal professional portfolio as a plain three ring binder.
Add index tabs.
• Summarize the work, reflect on the significance of the work,
and review the work in light of career goals and employment
expectations, at least yearly.
Additional Tips
• Put each continuing education certificate with the corresponding course advertisement, objectives and class handout, in a
clear plastic sheet protector.
• Update regularly.
• Maintain the professional appearance of the document: neat,
organized, and complete.
• Edit, and spell check to eliminate typographical and grammatical errors.
• Add, remove and replace items as applications, evaluations, or
other professional activities as needed for specific projects.
Does the portfolio need to be electronic?
In this digital age, more organizations are requiring electronic
documents to standardize and manage data. The following tips
can assist in this process:
• Use a recent electronic resume, certification application or
some other professional project to begin. Simply cut and paste
the information into a word processing program. Edit this
information to create a uniform document.
• Scan paper documents into the program.
• Save a copy on a “portable electronic medium” as a compact
disc.
• Back up the files regularly.
Conclusion
The nursing portfolio is more than a collection of documents. “It
allows nurses to stretch and reach beyond their day-to-day expectations and explore ways to advance both themselves and the
profession. Along the way, the nurse accepts accountability for
his or her growth and development” (Williams, & Jordan, 2007).
From the small beginnings of a brief resume or application, the
nurse is able to build a powerful document, which aids in career
advancement and competency improvement. Consider this activity an essential part of professional practice.
Would you like to see an example of a nursing portfolio?
Contact Molly Homan, [email protected]
“Portfolios are no longer solely the domain of
artists, architects, photographers, and models. They
are considered an essential tool in demonstrating
professional accomplishments and documenting
professional growth for a variety of professions.”
OHIO NURSES
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