From Novice to Expert: The Critical Role of the Professional

Portfolio in the 21st Century Nursing

Workforce

What is a Professional Portfolio?

“purposeful collection of ….work that tells the

story of…efforts, progress and achievement in a

given area”

Arter, J.A., Spandel, V., & Culham, R. (1995) Portfolios for assessment and instruction (Contract no. RR930002004) Washington DC: Office of Educational Research and Improvement.

A collection of documents to recognize and evaluate

the knowledge base, abilities and attitudes of nurses

These documents provide a narrative presentation of a

persons professional accomplishments

The contents of the portfolio will vary depending on

how the portfolio will be used

What a Professional Portfolio is Not?

A shoe box or file of documents

A transcript in a learning management system

A history of education completed with an online

CE vendor

A Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A web page (e.g., Facebook or Linked In)

Uses of a Professional Portfolio

Education Tool

Career Advancement

Performance Evaluation

Credentialing

Initial Specialty Certification

Regulation of Practice

Individual Benefits of Portfolios

Demonstration of continuing professional

competence, not just continuing education

Demonstration of critical thinking skills

Ability to reflect on personal and professional

growth

Personalization of work

Drivers behind Nursing Portfolios

Move from Continuing Education to Continuing

Professional Competence

The Relationship between Competence and

Outcomes

Regulation and Credentialing

Excellence Programs, e.g., Magnet & Baldridge

The Emerging Nursing Workforce

The Defining Attributes of a Portfolio

Organized

As in the medical record, sections are consistent, e.g., nursing note, lab results

Individualized

As in the medical record, data within the section based on the individual

Reflective

Unlike the medical record, reflection on the past is acceptable

Selective

Activities included in a portfolio can be chosen based on use case

Ongoing

As in the medical record, the portfolio is a life-long record of professional

development As utilized by ANCC (Monsen, R. B., 2005)

Output of an Electronic Portfolio

Curriculum Vitae/Resume

Supporting Documentation of Activities

– Professional Education

– Publications

– Presentations

– Honors, Awards, Special Achievements

– Professional Experience and Expertise

– Community Activities

Reflective Documents

Attributes of The Professional Portfolio

Organized

Individualized

Reflective

Selective

Ongoing

Individual Benefits of The Professional

Portfolio by Decision Critical

Decreased time involved in compiling the portfolio

Elimination of cumbersome paper-based processes

Create customized portfolios

Secure password protected environment

Real-time capture of activities

Private access with any internet connection

Ease of distribution

Assures compliance

Organization Benefits of The Professional

Portfolio by Decision Critical

Centralized Professional Nursing Database

Leadership Development

Succession Planning

Career Ladder

Robust Reporting

Magnet

Compliance

Competency

Aggregation of The Professional Portfolio Creates a

Comprehensive Professional Nursing Database

Questions?????

Contact: Gary Rust, Vice President of Sales

Decision Critical

1.800.794.1770

grust@decisioncritical.com

www.decisioncritical.com