Types of Writing
Portfolio
Information on the portfolio assignment has been taken from the NURS 465/HSCI 465 syllabus. For more exact directions, please consult your professor's assignment.
What is a portfolio?
"A portfolio is a collection and interpretation of your work that allows your professor, your employer or other person to evaluate your abilities" based on that work (Annis & Jones 1995, p. 185). In NURS 465/HSCI 465, the "best works" portfolio is used as proof of your ongoing professional development and to evaluate how you have met final program outcomes.
What is expected in a portfolio?
The portfolio will be used to evaluate how you use effective communication, critical thinking, proficient technical skill, accurate assessment, and establishment of professional values. In NURS 465/HSCI 465, the portfolio may include writing and other examples of your skills from previous class and from assignments in this class.
A major component of the portfolio is a reflective statement. A well-developed reflective statement should demonstrate to the reader the reasons why you selected the particular writing examples you included in the portfolio.
Specifically, your portfolio includes a clear statement of your goals for it, a reflective essay, a table of contents, and the following:
- An experiential narrative or a health science journal entry
- A position paper
- Two of the following:
- a Philosophy of Nursing or Health Care,
- a concept map,
- a clinical or community assessment,
- a journal entry,
- a research critique or related assignment,
- a career project,
- a SWOT analysis,
- a mission statement analysis,
- a case management issue paper,
- a leadership paper,
- a case study analysis.
How will my portfolio be assessed?
The organization of your portfolio will be examined. Is the content logically organized for easy reading? Does the reflective statement demonstrate how the purpose links with the goals? Is the selection of each item appropriate?
The content will also be examined. Is the content plausible? Does the quality of the examples included accentuate your skills and professional values?
Also, the presentation will be evaluated. Are the entries well written? Is the information mechanically correct--no spelling or grammatical errors? Does it suggest a professional appearance? Does the portfolio create a positive image or impression of who you are?
Adapted from: Annis, L. and Jones, C. (1995). Student portfolios: Their
Objectives, Development, and Use. In P. Seldin and Associates, Improving
College Teaching (p. 185). Bolton, MA: Ankar, Publishing Inc.
George Mason's New Century College has developed guidelines
for developing a portfolio for their own students. These guidelines
may help you as well.