Discussion: Strategies for Academic Portfolios
Building a brand and maintaining an academic portfolio is excellent for contributing to one’s success. “They are considered an essential tool in demonstrating professional accomplishments and documenting professional growth for various professions (Williams, & Jordan, 2007). I would include my transcripts in my portfolio. This will show the different courses I have taken and how well I have done in these courses. It will also provide them with an understanding of my level of education. I would also include my state of Michigan nursing license. This will provide them with the understanding that I am board-certified and qualified to perform as a licensed registered nurse. This will benefit achieving my professional developmental goals because they are steppingstones to furthering my academic level from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree.
My goals align with the university’s emphasis on social change on improving the human condition, cultures, society toward an impacting future. I plan to do that with my master’s degree working with patients with mental health illnesses being culturally sensitive, aligning with social change at Walden University. It is critical for health care providers to be culturally sensitive to provide high quality of care. As a Mental health NP, I will also be helping improve the mental well-being of individuals, which is another example of aligning with the university’s goals for social change. I plan to do that by ensuring patients are following their medical care treatment. I also ensure that they are receiving the level of care needed for patients’ success.
To attain our life goals, we must be passionate and dedicated. But what exactly is a hard worker, and how can we identify one? When working toward our goals, we must have a plan and identify the milestones we want to reach. Professional and come from having a strategy, and one of those plans is creating a portfolio of accomplishments. My success strategy begins with my academic achievements. I applied for this graduate degree with Walden in the hopes of completing all of my courses and becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). One method I can accomplish this goal is to create a portfolio of accomplishments. This portfolio can be created electronically and should include all of the material needed to support one’s résumé. According to Burns (2018), a portfolio should include experience, talents, academic achievements, and be structured in a way that would direct the individual toward success. This e-portfolio serves as a road map and roadmap to help us achieve our objectives.
Assignment: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 5: Professional Development
In this week’s Discussion: , you were introduced to the concept of an to begin building your own brand. Portfolios have value that go beyond brand-building however. An academic and
professional portfolio can also help you to build your own vision and mission and establish your development goals. In this regard, a portfolio becomes yet another tool in your toolbox as you build your success.
In this Assignment you will continue developing your Academic Success and Professional Development Plan by developing the fifth component: a portfolio for your academic and professional efforts.
In this discussion board, two strategies will be identified to aid in professional development and social change. The Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) must possess strategies to promote a domino effect for professional development and positive social change.
Maintaining a professional portfolio that details one’s nursing training and experience should be the first tactic employed by an APRN (Casey & Egan, 2013). The nursing professional should keep their professional portfolio up-to-date with new awards and education. Utilizing online networking is the second tactic that should be employed in the APRN context. Hannans and Olivo (2017) emphasize the value of an identity and professional networking. For example, LinkedIn provides a platform for professionals to create profiles and network with others in an online professional environment. E-portfolios provide professionals with a platform for showcasing their professional standards and career abilities, as well as a space for future goal-setting reflection (McMillan et al., 2014). These tactics support Walden University’s emphasis on social change by emphasizing the significance of lifelong learning in a contemporary setting.
In conclusion, the APRN has the opportunity to enhance the care of individuals, families, and communities in various ways. The valuable experience the APRN obtains through professional development also promotes well rounded care delivery.
In the realm of marketing, a successful branding strategy is one of the most important contributors to organizational success. A solid branding strategy can help add visibility and credibility to a company’s products.
Similarly, nurse-scholars can build a personal brand to add visibility and credibility to their work. You can begin building your brand by developing and maintaining an . Such an activity can help share the results of your efforts and contribute to your success. This week’s Discussion asks you to consider and share strategies for building your portfolio.
After graduating from college and completing years of rigorous training, all nurses begin their careers as students. As soon as we have completed the prerequisites for licensure as a nurse, we are ready to begin our professional path. Having a concise description of our , credentials, and capabilities is essential. There are several ways to describe the professional portfolio, but one of the most common is to refer to it as a record of a nurse’s education and achievements. Additionally, a best work portfolio comprising specific papers such as awards and accolades can aid in career advancement and advancement in general. If you are looking for a career as a professional nurse, you need to prepare an effective document that will convince potential employers of your worthiness. What are some good ways to keep track of your academic progress?
Creating a Portfolio of Your Work. One’s ePortfolio can be thought of as an electronic fingerprint that provides insight into one’s professional and private life. In order to impress potential employers, we must ensure that the portfolio we put together accurately reflects who we are. Finding pre-existing platforms or templates that can be utilized to develop an initial framework is advocated by the same authors. We can then utilize this structure to organize the personal information we have to create the portfolio’s content. Including academic accomplishments is a good way to enhance one’s ability to excel. Nurses, according to Casey and Egan (2013), should use their own creativity while composing the structure and presentation of a portfolio. Aligning and integrating what an employer is looking for in a candidate can help achieve this An applicant’s self-awareness regarding the job and the organization’s mission and goals might be demonstrated through this, according to the author. One way to ensure that portfolios aren’t just generic but may be tailored for diverse purposes is to use this method. Burns (2018) outlined the various components of a nursing portfolio and underlined the importance of including information that can be independently validated for each component. In order to make it easy for employers to confirm information provided, it is important to provide background information.
Development of a Personal Branding Portfolio. Electronic portfolios were seen as relatively favorable by employers, according to Leahy and Filiatrault (2017), who discussed an article on the subject. As stated in the same article, companies are more likely to get in touch with an applicant if they include in their communication some sort of link to the applicant’s ePortfolio. The majority of job applications are now sent electronically, so it’s critical to take into account the information in this article if you want to improve your chances of engaging with employers by making it easier for them to explore ePortfolios.
Conclusion. A nurse’s path to professional enrichment is influenced by how well she connects with potential employers. In order to accurately portray our professional growth and achievements, we must be able to create the blueprint of our success through the creation of an effective portfolio (Laureate Education, 2018). Building our professional reputation takes time, as does learning new things and honing our existing abilities. As a result, it’s critical that we compile all of our work into a single document, our professional portfolio, that can stand on its own.
References
Burns, M. K. (2018). Creating a nursing portfolio. Ohio Nurses Review, 93(3), 16–17.
Casey, D. & Egan, D. (2013). The use of professional portfolios for career enhancement. British Journal of Nursing, 15(11), 547–552. doi:10.12968/bjcn.2010.15.11.79625
Hannans, J. & Olivo, Y. (2017). Craft a positive nursing digital identity with an ePortfolio. American Nurse Today, 12(11), 48–49. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Blueprint to Success [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Leahy, R., & Filiatrault, A. (2017). Employers’ perceptions of the benefits of employment electronic portfolios. International Journal of ePortfolio, 7(2), 217–223.
Hello Dr. F…,
I have been a nurse for almost three decades now and I can say that my career journey has been extensive. Ever since I completed my bachelor’s program in Nursing, I have always developed the desire to continue to nurture my knowledge and skills by keeping myself up to date with best practices affecting my work.
Professional growth can be equated to self-promotion by taking the professional responsibility to seek advancement in any chosen field of work (Burns, 2018). This self-promotion is a way to be aware of our individual achievements, and this will help provide an internal motivation to be able to enhance our career. As our resources emphasized, it is always up to each individual how success is defined (Laureate Education, 20918). As we move forward in our career, it is essential to always keep in mind to do an inventory of our knowledge and skill set and be responsible enough to enrich these aspects as needed.
Our online identity serves as our digital fingerprint as a professional (Hannans & Olivo, 2017). In my personal experience, my focus has always been on enriching my career, and in the process, I always made sure that I catch all the details of my accomplishments by documenting it in my portfolio.
ReferenceS
Burns, M. K. (2018). Creating a nursing portfolio. Ohio Nurses Review, 93(3), 16–17.
Hannans, J. & Olivo, Y. (2017). Craft a positive nursing digital identity with an ePortfolio. American Nurse Today, 12(11), 48–49. Retrieved November 14, 2018, from
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Blueprint to Success [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Nursing portfolios are a way to show achievements throughout one’s nursing journey. “A professional portfolio is evidence of the nurse’s skills, achievements, and professional experience” (Burns, M.K., 2018). There are many ways to demonstrate a nurse’s personal growth in a nursing portfolio. An ePortfolio is a way to keep track of academic activities and accomplishments throughout one’s career on a virtual platform. “ePortfolios are a well-established practice to demonstrate progress, archive coursework through college, and provide evidence of meeting learning outcomes” (Hannahs, J. & Olivo, Y., 2017). There are many ways to outline and demonstrate the achievements one has made in an ePortfolio. Two strategies to provide this information is by, “Outline your short- and long-term goals and share your clinical experiences” (Hannahs, J. & Olivo, Y., 2017).
Social Change
“At Walden University, we define positive social change as a deliberate process of creating and applying ideas, strategies, and actions to promote the worth” (Walden University, n.d.). By receiving my education from Walden University, I know that I will have the training to ensure my portfolio inhibits social change. My long and short-term goals can outline how I will achieve a positive social change. Clinical experience will increase my professional growth through my academic successes. An example of this would be, working as a nurse executive I will be faced with many decisions. In order to provide a positive social change, my clinical experiences will help me work cohesively with a preceptor to learn how to promote a positive atmosphere.
Conclusion
By understanding how to implement a thorough nursing portfolio, I will be able to demonstrate achievements in academia and professional growth. As a Nurse Executive student at Walden University, I know that I am learning the essential skills to evolve my nursing portfolio. Through this development, I will be able to strive for positive social change.
References:
Burns, M. K. (2018). Creating a Nursing Portfolio. Ohio Nurses Review, 93(3), 16–17.
Hannans, J. & Olivo, Y. (2017). Craft a positive nursing digital identity with an ePortfolio. American Nurse Today, 12(11), 48-49. Retrieved October 19, 2020, from https://www.myamericannurse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ant11-Digital-Identity-1017a-1.pdf
Walden University. (n.d.). Social change. Walden University – Acalog ACMS™.
K…,
I appreciate your post on ePortfolios and how they can be useful as we build our academic and nursing professional portfolios. In today’s world, more and more information is obtained online. Employers are now researching potential job candidates prior to the interviewing and hiring process begins. It is important now, more than ever, to create a positive online brand for yourself that employers, coworkers, friends, family, and even patients may discover. Digital footprints are left every time we log on, attention must be paid to what material you are posting (Hannans & Olivo, 2017).
Academic and professional portfolios are visual representations of your strengths, academic success, nursing skills and knowledge, community involvement, and experiences. The resume and/or curriculum vitae are only a piece of the portfolio. Nurses should include degrees obtained, licensures, certifications, continuing education credits, conference attendance, and any presentations or education lectures they presented (Burns, 2018).
Walden University is preparing students to be social change agents (Walden University, n.d.). Showcasing achievements for community involvement should be included as a part of your portfolio. Volunteer services, organizing or participating in health screenings, and lobbying for health policy changes are all opportunities to add to your professional portfolio (Burns, 2018).
References
Burns, M. (2018). creating a nursing portfolio. Ohio Nurses Review, 93 (3),16-17
Hannans, J. & Olivo, Y. (2017). Craft a positive nursing digital identity with an ePortfolio. American Nurse Today, 12(11), 48-49. Retrieved October 22, 2020, from https://www.myamericannurse.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ant11-Digital-Identity-1017a-1.pdf
Walden University. (n.d.) Social Change. Retrieved on October 22, 2020, from https://www.waldenu.edu/why-walden/social-change
An important method for adding academic activities and accomplishments in your professional portfolio is to create a list of the items you wish to include and to begin collecting them. Numerous examples include professional experiences, grants, teaching positions, publications, presentations, community involvement, professional references, resumes, and business cards (Burns, 2018). Burns (2018) also emphasizes the significance of deciding whether your portfolio will be electronic or physical (p.17). I believe that starting with a digital portfolio is an excellent idea because you will be able to make improvements as you progress. When necessary, you may always print out the information and bring it with you to interviews.
Hassasm & Olivio (2017) reaffirm the importance of utilizing digital ePortfolios as the second excellent technique for including academic activities and accomplishments (p.48). They continue by listing more components to put in your portfolio. One of these components is photographing professional experiences and achievements. In a professional situation, taking photographs can be a terrific way to capture memories (Hassasm & Olivio, 2017, p.49). This is a terrific method to demonstrate the connections you’ve established during your academic and professional careers. These contacts might be extremely useful while searching for future employment. These tactics coincide with Walden University’s emphasis on social change because they not only assist students in collecting and presenting their achievements, but also in acquiring further professional experiences in the future. These professional experiences will improve the nursing profession and have a good impact on society as a whole.
There are many strategies for incorporating academic activity and accomplishments into my professional development goals. First, it is essential to adopt a goal evolution mindset. As we grow and learn, our goals will evolve. Academic activities and accomplishments should constantly contribute to professional development goals. It is essential to determine what steps must be taken to achieve professional development goals (Walden University, LLC, 2018). Modern-day advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) must develop a portfolio of evidence of professional development activities and achievements and how they contribute to professional practice as a visual representation of their experience, strengths, abilities, and skills (Casey & Egan, 2013). The benefits of portfolios include skill development, promoting active learning, improved clinical competency, and improved academic assessment and achievement (Dehkordi & Ghiasvandian, 2019). The portfolio will represent who I am, what I am passionate about, and the strengths I have obtained during my education at Walden University.
A strategy I could use to include academic activities and accomplishments in my professional development is to join professional nursing organizations. It is crucial to serve the community and profession (Walden University, LLC, 2018). I could connect with various professional organizations to participate in activities aligned with my career goals (Hannans & Olivo, 2017). Professional organization bring nurses together and empowers nurses to have a voice (Walden University, LLC, 2018). Nurses can also become certified in areas that may contribute to their professional development goals. The American Nurses Credentialing Center outlines steps for APRNs to expand their focus to meet expanded practice roles (Melander et al., 2020).
Another strategy is to record specific moments where I used my education and research to change a patient’s life. Casey and Egan (2013) suggested regularly accounting for incidents that have occurred in practice and using these instances in a portfolio, showcasing the application of knowledge learned. Collecting patient accounts evidencing competence in advanced practice will highlight academic activities contributing to professional development goals. Portions of my portfolio will highlight educational activities and accomplishments contributing to my professional development goals (Casey & Egan, 2013). I could specifically select evidence highlighting a skill I have obtained throughout my education. Nurses can also attend seminars and apply the knowledge learned in practice (Casey & Egan, 2013). I will attend conferences specific to my areas of interest, including aesthetic nursing, healthcare access in underprivileged communities, and healthcare policy. Clear ideas of education and certification must help you meet your professional development goals (Walden University, LLC, 2018).
Walden University is committed to social change by empowering change-makers, building communities, and maximizing social change outcomes (Walden University, 2022). Serving the community will align the University’s social change goals with my own. I want to affect positive change by improving access to care, especially in underserved and underprivileged communities, minimizing the healthcare disparity gap. I also want to promote social change through healthcare policy. By joining professional organizations that promote my development in these areas, I will develop from a student to a change-maker. The knowledge I gain throughout the Walden University program will assist me in making that possible.
References
Casey, D. & Egan, D. (2013). The use of professional portfolios for career enhancement. British Journal of Nursing, 15(11), 547-552.
Dehkordi, L. M., Ghiasvandian, S. (2019). Application of Portfolio in Nursing Education and Assessment of Learning. Journal of Medical Education and Development, 14(2), 136–143.
Hannans, J. & Olivo, Y. (2017). Craft a positive nursing digital identity with an ePortfolio. American Nurse Today, 12(11), 48-49. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from
Melander, S., Hardin-Pierce, M., & Howard, P. B. (2020). Meeting the challenges of expanded practice through postgraduate APRN certification. Nurse Practitioner, 45(6), 8–10.
Walden University. (2022). Social Change. Walden University. Retrieved October 16, 2022, from https://www.waldenu.edu/why-walden/social-change
Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: Your Professional Development Plan [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
| Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Posting |
45 (45%) – 50 (50%)
Answers all parts of the discussion question(s) expectations with reflective critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources.
Supported by at least three current, credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. |
40 (40%) – 44 (44%)
Responds to the discussion question(s) and is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module.
At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least three credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. |
35 (35%) – 39 (39%)
Responds to some of the discussion question(s).
One or two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed. Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Post is cited with two credible sources. Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Contains some APA formatting errors. |
0 (0%) – 34 (34%)
Does not respond to the discussion question(s) adequately.
Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria. Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Contains only one or no credible sources. Not written clearly or concisely. Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style. |
| Main Post: Timeliness |
10 (10%) – 10 (10%)
Posts main post by day 3.
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not post by day 3.
|
| First Response |
17 (17%) – 18 (18%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings.
Responds fully to questions posed by faculty. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
15 (15%) – 16 (16%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
13 (13%) – 14 (14%)
Response is on topic and may have some depth.
Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited. |
0 (0%) – 12 (12%)
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth.
Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited. |
| Second Response |
16 (16%) – 17 (17%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings.
Responds fully to questions posed by faculty. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
14 (14%) – 15 (15%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings.
Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
12 (12%) – 13 (13%)
Response is on topic and may have some depth.
Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited. |
0 (0%) – 11 (11%)
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth.
Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited. |
| Participation |
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 different days.
|
| Total Points: 100 |
|---|
