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 https://www.americannursetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ant11-Digital-Identity-1017a-1.pdf
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Blueprint to Success [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Module 5 (Weeks 8-9): Professional Development Plan
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Blueprint to Success [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: Your Professional Development Plan [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze strategies for including academic activities and accomplishments into professional portfolios
- Create curriculum vitae
- Develop professional development goals
- Align professional development goals to Walden’s social change initiatives
- Construct elements of an Academic Success and Professional Development Plan
Due By Assignment
Week 8, Days 1–2
Read the Learning Resources.
Compose your initial Discussion post.
Week 8, Day 3
Post your initial Discussion post.
Begin to compose Part 5 of your Assignment.
Week 8, Days 4-5
Review peer Discussion posts.
Compose your peer Discussion responses.
Continue to compose Part 5 of your Assignment.
Week 8, Day 6
Post two peer Discussion responses.
Week 8, Day 7
Wrap up discussion.
Week 6, Day 7
Wrap up discussion.
Week 9, Days 1-6
Continue to compose Part 5 of your Assignment.
Week 9, Day 7
Deadline to submit Part 5 of your Assignment.
Learning Resources
Required Readings
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.
East, R. (2015). Developing a nurse practitioner portfolio. ACORN: The Journal of Perioperative Nursing in Australia, 28(4), 35.
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 https://www.americannursetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ant11-Digital-Identity-1017a-1.pdf
Leahy, R., & Filiatrault, A. (2017). Employers’ perceptions of the benefits of employment electronic portfolios. International Journal of ePortfolio, 7(2), 217-223.
McMillan, L. R., Parker, F., & Sport, A. (2014). Decisions, decisions! E-portfolio as an effective hiring assessment tool. Nursing Management, 45(4), 52-54.
Walden University. (n.d.). Walden University catalog. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://catalog.waldenu.edu
Select College of Nursing, then Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Review the MSN Learning Outcomes on this page.
Walden University Writing Center. (n.d.). Walden templates: Overview. Retrieved from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/templates
Note: Download and review the College of Nursing Template by navigating to “Program-Specific Templates” and then “College of Nursing,” and selecting “College of Nursing Writing Template With Instructions.”
Document: APA Basics Checklist: Citations, Reference List, and Style (PDF)
Document: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template (Word document)
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Scholars of Change: Reis Woolen [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Scholars of Change: Jackie Kundert [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Scholars of Change: Joan Kempagno [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
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 academic portfolio. Such an activity can help share the results of your efforts and contribute to your success. This Module’s Discussion asks you to consider and share strategies for building your portfolio.
To Prepare:
- Reflect on strategies that you can pursue in developing portfolios or portfolio elements that focus on academic achievements.
- Review one or more samples from your own research of resources focused on portfolio development.
By Day 3 of Week 8
Post an explanation of at least two strategies for including academic activities and accomplishments into your professional development goals. Then, explain how those goals may align with the University’s emphasis on social change. Be specific and provide examples.
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 6003 Discussion Strategies for Academic Portfolios Sample
Title: NURS 6003 Discussion Strategies for Academic Portfolios Sample
Nice post. It is imperative that as we move ahead with our graduate studies, we must have strategies for all our academic activities and accomplishments in our professional portfolios. It is crucial because it is the way we reveal our professional achievement and development to potential employers (Walden University, 2018). I love the way said it that Portfolios are individualized biographies that highlight on the persons job descriptions, strengths, skills, experience, certifications and much more. To know the strengths and weakness and to keep updating it every six months. I feel that selfassessment is a way of setting up a self-goal for ourselves. Setting up self-goals makes portfolios purposeful and well organized to tell stories of our efforts, achievements, and progress (Mokhtar, Shuib, & Mohamad, 2022). Precepting nursing students is fundamental as it not only educate the young ones but also helps us build on our leadership skills as a person. I have precepted multiple numbers of new and experienced nurses, and I feel that it is a great learning experience as it gives one the idea of what to expect when you become a leader.
By Day 6 of Week 8
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts by offering additional ideas regarding academic achievements to include or offering alternative ways of presenting the current achievements.
Submission and Grading Information
NURS 6003 Discussion Strategies for Academic Portfolios Sample Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 8 Discussion Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 8
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 8 Discussion
Assignment: Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Part 5: Professional Development
In this Module’s Discussion, you were introduced to the concept of an academic portfolio to begin building your own brand. However, portfolios have value that goes beyond brand building. 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.
To Prepare:
- Consider your goals for academic accomplishments while a student of the MSN program.
The Assignment:
- Using the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template document that you began to work on in Module 1 and have continued expanding throughout this course, you will develop a curriculum vitae (CV) in Part 5 based on your current education and professional background.
Note: Add your work for this Assignment to the original document you began in the Module 1 Assignment, which was built from the Academic Success and Professional Development Plan Template.
By Day 7 of Week 9
Submit Part 5.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK9Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 9 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 9 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK9Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Note: Due to the nature of this assignment, your instructor may require more than 5 days to provide you with quality feedback.
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 9 Assignment Rubric
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 9 Assignment draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7 of Week 9
To submit your Assignment:
Week 9 Assignment
Next Module
To go to the next module:
Module 6
Rubric Detail
Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout.
Content
Name: NURS_6003_Module05_Week08_Discussion_Rubric
Grid View
List View
Excellent Good Fair Poor
Main Posting
Points Range: 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.
Points Range: 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.
Points Range: 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.
Points Range: 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
Points Range: 10 (10%) – 10 (10%)
Posts main post by day 3.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not post by day 3.
First Response
Points Range: 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.
Points Range: 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.
Points Range: 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.
Points Range: 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
Points Range: 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.
Points Range: 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.
Points Range: 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.
Points Range: 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
Points Range: 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 different days.
Total Points: 100
Professional portfolios are becoming a very popular way for employers to evaluate a nurse is experience and progress. They are considered structured evidence that demonstrate an individual is ability to meet their profession’s standards for practice, including an indication of the professional’s vision of future growth and capacity building (Walden University, 2018)). Because of its growing importance, nurses should ensure that they keep their portfolio current and up to date. Every nursing scholar must first create a professional portfolio before moving from student to professional graduate roles. For the purpose of showcasing their accomplishments and scholarly pursuits, students must have an academic portfolio.
One of the strategic I intent to use in enhancing my portfolio is to show materials that highlight my academic achievements. Nursing scholars must incorporate their existing skills and knowledge into the development of their professional portfolios (Henderson, Davis, & Day, 2018, p.353). As a Walden master’s degree student, I would love to showcase the projects and assignments that would help show my academic activities and accomplishments that I completed so far in the program of study. The plans and tasks that would be shown would be divided into sections of individual assignments, professional development (which includes development projects and specialized research), classroom involvement, and research. It is essential that, as a scholar, I do research and understand the professional practitioner market to build a portfolio that reflects any changes in the market (Jung & Kim, 2017, p.765).
Another strategy I will employ for my professional portfolio is to keep track of all my academic achievements and activities online. According to research, using an online or electronic portfolio can help students achieve more in the classroom (Ahmed & Ward, 2019). To achieve this, I will put everything for my portfolio together in a Google Doc. With Google Doc, I can use a computer to review various parts of my documents whenever and wherever I want. Google Doc regularly saves work, so I don’t have to worry if my computer’s battery runs out of power or if my internet connection is interrupted. In all, using the strategies mentioned above will be helpful because it will show what I have accomplished and what I can contribute in any given professional situation.
NURS 6003 Discussion Strategies for Academic Portfolios Sample References
Ahmed, E., & Ward, R. (2019). Analysis of factors influencing acceptance of personal, academic professional development e-portfolios. Computers in Human Behavior, 63.
Henderson, J., Davis, R., & Day, T. (2018). Developing portfolios to document student performance and accomplishments. NACTA Journal, 59(4), 353.
Jung, J., Kim, S. (2017) Developing a dynamic portfolio selection model with a self-adjusted rebalancing method. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 68, 765.
Walden University. (2018). Curriculum vitae guide: Build your curriculum vitae.
NURS 6003 Discussion Strategies for Academic Portfolios Sample Rubric
NURS_6002_Week_5_Discussion_Rubric
You’ve already rated students with this rubric. Any major changes could affect their assessment results.
NURS_6002_Week_5_Discussion_Rubric
| Criteria |
Ratings |
Pts |
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Main Posting
|
50 to >44.0 pts
Excellent
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.
|
44 to >39.0 pts
Good
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.
|
39 to >34.0 pts
Fair
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.
|
34 to >0 pts
Poor
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.
|
|
50 pts
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Main Post: Timeliness
|
10 to >0.0 pts
Excellent
Posts main post by day 3.
|
0 pts
Poor
Does not post by day 3.
|
|
10 pts
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome First Response
|
18 to >16.0 pts
Excellent
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.
|
16 to >14.0 pts
Good
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.
|
14 to >12.0 pts
Fair
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.
|
12 to >0 pts
Poor
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.
|
|
18 pts
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Second Response
|
17 to >15.0 pts
Excellent
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 to >13.0 pts
Good
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 to >11.0 pts
Fair
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.
|
11 to >0 pts
Poor
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.
|
|
17 pts
|
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome Participation
|
5 to >0.0 pts
Excellent
Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.
|
0 pts
Poor
Does not meet requirements for participation by posting on 3 different days.
|
|
5 pts
|
|
Total Points: 100
|
