Portfolio Use as a Tool to Demonstrate Professional Development in Advanced Nursing Practice

Abstract

A concrete way of recognizing and rewarding clinical leadership, excellence in practice, and personal and professional development of the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is lacking in the literature and healthcare institutions in the United States. This article presents the process of developing and evaluating a professional development program designed to address this gap. The program uses APRN Professional Performance Standards, Relationship-Based Care, and the Magnet Forces as a guide and theoretical base. A key tenet of the program is the creation of a professional portfolio. Narrative reflections are included that illustrate the convergence of theories. A crosswalk supports this structure, guides portfolio development, and operationalizes the convergence of theories as they specifically relate to professional development in advanced practice. Implementation of the program has proven to be challenging and rewarding. Feedback from APRNs involved in the program supports program participation as a meaningful method to recognize excellence in advanced practice and a clear means to foster ongoing professional growth and development.

Improvement of Iranian nurses' competence through professional portfolio: A quasi‐experimental study

“…These results indicate that application of portfolios has a more positive impact on clinical competence than the conventional programs of continuing professional development and is consistent with other research performed in this area worldwide. For example, the results of the studies showed that reflection and completion of portfolio strengthen the critical approach in nurses' performance and foster ongoing professional development (Driessen et al ., 2005; Hespenheide et al ., 2011). Tochel et al .…”

“…However, most of the studies in this area have been conducted on nursing students with less focus on practicing nurses. In the United States, Hespenheide et al (2011) used the portfolio as a tool to demonstrate professional development of advanced practice registered nurses. Feedback from nurses involved in the study supports portfolio as a meaningful method to foster ongoing professional growth and development.…”

“…However, most of the studies in this area have been conducted on nursing students with less focus on practicing nurses. In the United States, Hespenheide et al . (2011) used the portfolio as a tool to demonstrate professional development of advanced practice registered nurses.…”