Throwing Out the Paper?: Using e-Portfolios to Document the Professional Development of School Nurses
This blog post is submitted by Tia Campbell on behalf of the School Nurse Institute Partnership (SNIP) representatives from Virginia
This blog post provides information about the breakout session on Thursday, June 30, 2016 at NASN2016.
Think about it! Where do you keep all your professional stuff - CEU’s you’ve collected, certifications, or pictures from the fantastic PTA program you helped organize? Chances are some pieces are at home, work, or perhaps you have them in a binder on your shelf. You are not alone! Historically, nurses, nursing students, and other professionals have used bulky binders, folders, or a combination of the two as a repository for assignments, projects, and products they have developed over a period of time.
These days school nurses are going digital and are creating electronic portfolios (e-portfolios) to replace the traditional notebook portfolio. The self-reflection enabled by the e-Portfolio demonstrates the power of engagement through an interactive, media rich electronic medium.
Using free software platforms such as Google Sites, WordPress, Evernote, and Weebly, school nurses can develop an e-portfolio using a variety of templates that reflect their individual style and personality. Unlike the traditional hardcover portfolios, the fluid nature of this software platform allows for updates and editing with minimal effort and best of all, it is always at your fingertips!
So why take the time to create one? Your e-Portfolio may contain information about professional development activities, projects or committee work you have participated in, evaluations, scanned certificates, a resume/ vitae, and media such as pictures or videos. The owner of the e-Portfolio site can choose whom they share this space with or give permission to access through a link. Pretty impressive stuff for potential employers!
E-Portfolios represent a dynamic, creative, fluid, and reflective digital space for the professional nurse to use now and well into the future. Through time, and with reflection, individual learning and growth become visible to participants, administrators, or future employers!
Developing an e-portfolio will help you to demonstrate and/or document:
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growth in skill development, knowledge, and degree of competency
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achievement within the school or community network
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how media such as video, photos, and music can be integrated into professional work
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behavioral outcomes
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a rich alternative form of assessment (other than grades)
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leadership development
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showcase individual ability and achievement in specific areas
The e-Portfolio provides the Professional Nurse with a powerful tool used to provide evidence and documentation of growth, leadership development, and the effects of self-directed learning. The value of this web-based resource is enhanced by its portability and ease of use.
Learn more about this valuable tool during our session at NASN2016 on Thursday, June 30th! Hope to see you there!
About SNIP:
SNIP includes representatives from schools of nursing faculty, state school nurse consultants from Virginia Departments of Health and Education, practicing school nurses, Virginia Emergency Services for Children and the Virginia Commonwealth University, Partnership for People with Disabilities. The mission of SNIP is to contribute to the professional development of school nurses and serves as an advisory group to Virginia school nurse consultants regarding current issues affecting school health.