This document outlines the purpose and components of a professional portfolio used to document competencies, expertise, and professional development. It discusses four dimensions of scholarship and provides examples of materials to include in a portfolio such as publications, presentations, teaching evaluations, and evidence of research, grants, and clinical practice. The document recommends that the portfolio be continuously updated and used for self-assessment, professional advancement, and employment purposes.

2. Document of scholarship
Collection of selected
materials that document
competencies and expertise
Monitor of professional
development

3. Four dimensions:
◦Scholarship of Discovery
◦Scholarship of Teaching
◦Scholarship of Integration
◦Scholarship of Application

4.  “The inquiry that produces the
disciplinary and professional
knowledge that is at the very heart of
academic pursuits”
 Includes:
◦ Philosophical inquiry and analysis
◦ Theory development and testing
◦ Research

5.  Examples include:
◦ Publications
◦ Presentations
◦ Grant awards
◦ Mentorship of junior colleagues in
research
◦ State, regional, national, or international
recognition as a scholar
◦ Positive peer evaluations

6.  “Produces knowledge to support the transfer
of the science and art of nursing from the
expert to the novice, building bridges
between the teacher’s understanding and the
student’s learning”
 Examples include
◦ Publications related to teaching methodology or
learning outcomes, learning theory development, and
development or testing of educational models
◦ Accreditation
◦ Application of technology
◦ Positive peer assessments of innovations in teaching

7.  More examples
◦ State, regional, national, or international
recognition as a master teacher
◦ Published textbooks or learning aids
◦ Grant awards in support of teaching and
learning
◦ Design of outcome studies or
evaluation/assessment programs
◦ Presentations related to teaching and learning

8.  “Writings and other products that use
concepts and original works from
nursing and other disciplines in
creating new patterns, placing
knowledge in a larger context, or
illuminating data in a more
meaningful way”

9.  Examples include:
◦ Publications of research, policy analysis, case
studies, integrative reviews of the literature
◦ Copyrights, licenses, patents, or products for sale
◦ Published books
◦ Positive peer evaluations of contributions to
integrative scholarship
◦ Reports of interdisciplinary programs or service
projects
◦ Interdisciplinary grant awards
◦ Presentations
◦ Policy papers to influence organizations or
governments

10.  Germane to practice and includes
clinical practice, staff
development, clinical problem
solving, and consultation
 Examples include:
◦ Dissemination of research findings
◦ Academic-service partnerships
◦ Analysis of outcomes related to
patients, programs, and health care systems
◦ Consultations reports

11.  Considered an essential reference for showcasing
professional accomplishments
 Documents professional growth
 Allows for continuous self-assessment of
competencies
 Provides for development plan
 Identifies strengths
 Used for:
◦ Admission to schools to advance academic
preparation
◦ Application to participate in a clinical ladder program
◦ Job applications
◦ Annual performance appraisals
◦ Documentation of performance for accreditation
surveys

12.  Demographic data
 Philosophy
 Education
◦ Dates
◦ Type of degree
◦ Name and address of school
◦ Graduation honors
 Academic transcripts
 Experience
◦ Dates
◦ Position title
◦ Name of agency/organization and address
◦ Responsibilities
 Continuing education certificates

13.  Honors/awards
 Professional organizations
◦ Name of organization
◦ Dates
 Certifications/licenses
◦ CPR
◦ ACLS
◦ Chemotherapy
◦ Immunizations
◦ RN/Advanced practice
◦ Liability insurance

14.  Committee assignments
◦ Committee title
◦ Position/office held
◦ Time of involvement
◦ Responsibilities
◦ Accomplishments
 Community activities
◦ Title
◦ Role
◦ Time of involvement
◦ Responsibilities
◦ Accomplishments
 Letters of appreciation/recognition

15.  Publications
◦ Articles
◦ Columns
◦ Book reviews
◦ Letters to the editor
◦ Examples of writing skills
 Teaching
◦ Title of courses
◦ Level of courses: undergraduate, graduate
◦ Length
◦ Dates
◦ Number of students
◦ Mode of teaching: “in-class” or on-line
◦ Teaching strategies: include simulation training and computer-
assisted technology
◦ Syllabus
◦ Evaluations: students, agency administrators and preceptors
◦ Evidence of curriculum design, evaluation, revision
◦ Clinical site responsibilities

16.  Annual work plan outlining goals and
objectives
 Copies of yearly performance appraisals
 Inventions/patents
 Student advisement
 Dissertation committees
◦ Dates
◦ Role
◦ Title of dissertation
 Presentations
◦ In-service
◦ Podium or poster presentations at a conference
◦ Workshops/classes

17.  For an independent nurse contractor, include
business plans and contracts
 Special skills and competencies
◦ Foreign language
◦ Computer skills
◦ Practice skills such as colposcopy, ultrasound, I&D
 Additional modes of dissemination such as
public press, television or radio interviews
 Professional practice accomplishments
◦ Precepting/mentoring new nurses
◦ Projects/programs
 Current references
 Contacts from other agencies
 Business and certification cards

18.  Research proposals
◦ Role
◦ Title
◦ Goals/objective/aims
◦ Dates
 Grant proposals
◦ Role
◦ Title
◦ Goals/objectives/aims
◦ Dates
◦ Funding agency
 Designated number for grant
 Amount funded

19.  Annotate essential accomplishments as
soon as possible
 Review and update portfolio twice annually
 Use tables/columns to present information
 Indicate how exemplars support
competencies
 Use a notebook, prepare a table of
contents, and label sections
 During review, evaluate and document your
progress in meeting objectives and revise
goals and objectives as needed