PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIOS

Jo-Anne McShane

What is a Professional Portfolio?

a structured collection of different types of evidence that show the individual’s professional goals, competencies, career achievements and continuing professional development activities and experiences

Why should

you have a

Professional Portfolio?

Florence Nightingale:

‘Nursing is a progressive art

in which to stand still is to have

gone back’

Nurses are expected to be:

• Lifelong learners

• Competent practitioners

• Provides evidence to demonstrate your ongoing competence to practice

• Demonstrates to potential employers your knowledge and skills (novice to expert)

• Take control of your professional development

• Meet registration standards (CPD, Learning Plan and Evaluation)

• Visual evidence of your abilities, achievements and interests

More than just a resume!

• Resume- education, work history, other background info

• Portfolio- evidence of competencies and expertise

Identify the purpose of the portfolioWill you use it for an interview, activity for a degree, to initiate a

career change, use it for a promotion?

Identify the audienceWho are they, what do they do and what are they likely to learn

about you?

Identify relevant characteristicsWhat are your strengths and weaknesses, which of your

strengths and skills do you want to showcase and what are the best ways to highlight your skills?

Gauge how much time and effort you are willing to put in.

Professional

Portfolio

Feedback

CPD

Reflection

Professional Records

Professional Resources

Community Activities

Employment History

(Resume)

Evaluation of Practice

Resume

Current Nursing and /or Midwifery Licence

Professional Memberships

Certificates

Current role description

Employment work contracts

Employment records

Certificates of service

Previous role descriptions

Competency Standards

Assessment tools

Code of Ethics

Code of Conduct

Self evaluation

Peer evaluation

Client evaluation

Supervisor evaluation

Commendations/Awards

Professional affiliations

Involvement in community activities

Volunteer work relevant to nursing

Letters of recommendation

Supervisory meetings

Reflections

Learning plans

Evaluation of learning

Evidence of learning

Links theory to practice

Leads to improvement in practice

Don’t be to harsh on yourself, but be realistic

Will help identify learning needs

Further study – include certificates

Conferences – attended or presented

In-service education - attended or presented

Academic papers or publications

Journal club attendance

Involvement in projects

Committee involvement

Personal educational reading

Types of Portfolios

Assessment- i.e. courses, University requirements

Presentation- organised, labelled and prepared for review

Learning – monitor progress in meeting professional learning goals

Types of Portfolios

Learning portfolios:

• Working document that provides ongoing evidence of competency/competencies

• Can select materials to include in a best-work portfolio

Layout can be based on:

• Competency standards

• Performance appraisal standards

• Selection criteria for a position

Layout

Compilation or

shopping trolley/shoebox:

• Collection of artefacts

over time

• Commonly presented at job interviews

Layout

Process Orientated or Cake Mix:

• Reflective components

• Provides direction for future learning- activities designed to address learning needs

Product Orientated or Spinal Column:

• Evidence demonstrates each standard

• More holistic- links reflection to justify the evidence

Layout

Toast Rack or Standards Based:

Evidence in slotted into categories

i.e. ANMC categories, skills log, employment records

No reflection

• K.I.S.S

• Limit to around 10 artefacts for best work

portfolios (i.e. for job interviews)

•Scanable in 10min or less

•Self-guided and self-contained

•Shows your best work

•Customise to a specific job