Whereas a resume is easy to hid the truth in words, a portfolio requires the nurse to prove their case, as if in court, through the use of physical evidence. The use of professional portfolios in nursing is also beneficial to the individual nurse, in that it forces him or her to evaluate their own development and to continue to strive to ensure that they are meeting all areas of expectations. For these reasons, many nursing professionals argue that a similar requirement as that used in the United Kingdom should be used in the United States as part of nursing licensing. This is especially true as it pertains to those who teach nursing to adolescents because this job, like the teacher's, requires constant review of the teaching method, which is best done through physical evidentiary proof.
For example, Annette Jinks spend years conducting national surveys and interviews throughout the United Kingdom in order to explore the intricate relationship between student-centered teaching and learning and patient-centered nursing care. The central question asked was whether student nurses are taught using the principles of student-centered learning theories will replicate the behaviors they have learned when they begin delivering nursing care services. Based on this study, Jinks recommends that when teaching nursing, the teaching nurse should use methods of hands on learning, similar to those used in a student-centered curriculum. In order guarantee that the classroom concepts are being transferred to the field-experience, Jinks recommends the use of portfolios, both for the nursing student and for the nursing teacher. By using a portfolio, the student will be forced to show how they are utilizing the classroom theories and skills when dealing with patients, thus making a deeper connection and leading to better nursing practice. Likewise, the nursing teacher will be able to ensure that all the theories they teach have a direct application to the nursing practice of their students.
According to Redfern, the use of professional portfolios in the nursing practice is beneficial in that it assist the nurse with the application and interviewing process, allows for employee participation in performance reviews and ensures the meeting of all statutory rules and requirements.
The conclusion that can be drawn on the evidence presented by the United Kingdom's use of portfolios in the nursing profession is that it is an excellent method of both professional and personal evaluation and regulation. The United States nursing profession should consider adopting similar requirements. Currently, many educators are required to use professional portfolios and the results have been positive, leading one to conclude that similar results would occur if implemented in the nursing profession.
Bibliography
Billings, Diane M., Halstead, Judith a. (2004): Teaching in Nursing: A Guide for Faculty. New York: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Campbell, Dorthy M., Beverly J. Melenyzer. (2006): How to Develop a Professional Portfolio. New York: Allyn & Bacon, Inc.
Jinks, Annette, M. (1997): Caring for Patients, Caring of Student Nurses. Ashgate: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.
Keating, Sandra. (2005): Curriculum Development and Evaluation in Nursing. Lippincott Williams & Williams.
O'Connor, Andrea B. (2006): Clinical Instruction and Evaluation: A Teaching Resource. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers, Inc.
Redfern, Liz. (2004): The Churchill Livingstone Professional Portfolio. London: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Redfern, Liz, Spouse, Jenny. (2000): Successful Supervision in Health Care Practice: Promoting Professional Development. London" Blackwell Science, Inc.
