PORTFOLIO

Life Experience Portfolio Instructions ASN Nursing Program Objectives

PURPOSE

This Life Experience Portfolio allows students to demonstrate how prior academic, clinical, and professional experiences meet the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Program Objectives. Students must provide reflective narratives supported by objective, verifiable documentation.

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OVERALL PORTFOLIO STRUCTURE

Submit ONE organized document (Word or PDF), one note workbook or a single binder if physical submission is required.

Optional document layout:

1. Cover Page

Include:

• Student name

• Program: Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)

• Course name and number

• Faculty name

• Semester and year

• Submission date

2. Table of Contents

List each ASN Program Objective with corresponding page numbers or labeled sections.

3. Preface (½–1 page)

Briefly describe:

• Your academic and professional background (e.g., CNA/LPN experience, years in healthcare, prior degrees).

• Your goal for completing the ASN program and future nursing career plans.

4. Sections by ASN Program Objective

Create a separate section for EACH of the five ASN Program Objectives.

Each section must include ALL of the following:

A. Objective statement (copied verbatim)

B. Student-written narrative explanation

C. Evidence list (table or bullet format)

D. Attached documentation labeled to match the evidence list

5. Conclusion (optional, 1 short paragraph)

Briefly reflect on how creating this portfolio influenced or confirmed your understanding of your learning and professional growth.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH OBJECTIVE

You must complete ALL four components below for each objective you are claiming.

A. Restate the Objective (Verbatim)

Example:

Objective 1: Use a clinical decision-making process to provide patient-centered care to diverse patients in all healthcare environments.

B. Narrative Explanation (½–1 page per objective)

Write 1–2 well-developed paragraphs using professional academic language.

Paragraph 1 – Context:

• Identify where and how you gained this experience.

• Include setting, organization, role, dates of employment/clinical, and patient population.

Paragraph 2 – Demonstration:

• Explain what you actually DID that demonstrates the objective.

• Focus on actions, decisions, critical thinking, and outcomes.

• Refer directly to your evidence using evidence IDs (e.g., see O1 E1).

C. Evidence List

Create a small table or bullet list that clearly links evidence to the objective.

Each piece of evidence must include:

• Evidence ID (e.g., O1 E1)

• Type of evidence

• Source/issuer

• Date(s)

• Explanation of how it supports the objective

D. Attached Documentation

Attach at least ONE piece of concrete evidence per objective (2–4 is typical for strong portfolios).

All attachments must:

• Be clearly labeled with the matching Evidence ID.

• Be referenced explicitly in the narrative.

• Be de-identified (no patient names or identifiers).

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ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF EVIDENCE

Program-specific coursework:

· Prepared papers. 

· Discussion posts

· Completed care plans. 

· Examples of work designed or completed. 

· Skills checklists

Additional Resources: (optional)

· Job descriptions. (Current position) 

· Performance evaluations by a qualified professional, i.e. supervisor, professor. (Current position)

· A statement from the employer must validate work experience and professionalism

· Photocopies of certificates. (active certifications ex. ACLS, BLS)

· Transcripts (unofficial UJ transcripts).  

· Webinars/conferences attended (while a student)

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EMPLOYER / THIRD-PARTY VALIDATION (Optional)

Any work experience used as evidence MUST be validated by an employer or supervisor letter.

Letters must:

• Be on organizational letterhead (or include contact information)

• Be signed and dated

• Verify role, dates of employment, and responsibilities

• Describe behaviors related to ASN objectives

Here is a template Letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

I verify that [Student Name] has been employed at [Organization] as a [Position] from [Start Date] to [End Date or “present”], averaging approximately [#] hours per week. In this role, [he/she/they] is responsible for [brief description of duties that align with objectives, e.g., performing patient assessments, collaborating with the healthcare team, implementing care plans, and documenting in the electronic health record].

In my experience, [Student Name] demonstrates [examples: sound clinical judgment, effective teamwork, professional behavior, cultural sensitivity, safe use of technology]. I believe these experiences contribute to meeting the learning objectives of the Associate of Science in Nursing program.

Sincerely, [Supervisor Name, Credentials, Title] [Contact Information]

Require letters to be on organizational letterhead or with contact info, signed and dated.

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FORMATTING & SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Typed, double-spaced narratives

• 12-point standard font

• Clear headings: Objective 1, Objective 2, etc.

• Consistent evidence labeling (O1 E1, O2 E1, etc.)

• Every evidence item must be cited in at least one narrative

• Total narrative length typically 5–8 pages plus evidence

Submit word doc, pdf, or onenote workbook

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FACULTY NOTES

• Each objective is evaluated independently.

• Faculty may request additional clinical validation for specific courses.

• Submission of a portfolio does not guarantee acceptance of all evidence.

• Faculty reserve the right to accept or reject documentation based on alignment with program standards.

Life Experience Portfolio

Introduction:  ASN_Life_Experience_Portfolio_Instructions.docx Download ASN_Life_Experience_Portfolio_Instructions.docx

This project allows you to reflect on your academic and professional experiences and identify how you met each program objective.

 

Instructions: 

Develop a life-experience portfolio that demonstrates how you have met the nursing program objectives. Validation of objectives may include, but is not limited to: 

Program-specific coursework:

· Prepared papers. 

· Discussion posts

· Completed care plans. 

· Examples of work designed or completed. 

· Skills checklists

Additional Resources: (optional)

· Job descriptions. (Current position) 

· Performance evaluations by a qualified professional, i.e. supervisor, professor. (Current position)

· A statement from the employer must validate work experience and professionalism

· Photocopies of certificates. (active certifications ex. ACLS, BLS)

· Transcripts (unofficial UJ transcripts).  

· Webinars/conferences attended (while a student)

Your completed portfolio must precisely state how each objective has been met. For example, objectives may have been met through work experience, classes taught, workshops attended, or other classes taken. Specific dates, times, and places are to be included.  

Your portfolio must also include a student-written narrative that explains why you believe you have attained the knowledge or skill that each particular objective is designed to teach.  Each objective that you wish to receive credit for must be indicated specifically and validated separately with specific data. 

Note: Individual course faculty may require validation of specific clinical components of a course. Faculty reserve the right to accept or reject any part of a portfolio submitted as validation of course objectives. 

 ASN Nursing Program Objectives:

Upon completion of this Associate of Science in Nursing program, you will be prepared to:

· Use a clinical decision-making process to provide patient-centered care to diverse patients in all healthcare environments.

· Collaborate with patients, families and interdisciplinary team members to coordinate healthcare services that promote optimum states of health and wellness.

· Demonstrate professional behaviors of accountability and cultural humility when engaged in unselfish service to humankind.

· Use quality improvement processes to improve nursing practice and care for patients across the lifespan and continuum of care.

· Apply technology and current evidence to support safe and effective patient care.

 

How to Submit:

Submit your completed life experience portfolio by 23:59 Central Sunday.

Life Experience Portfolio Grading Rubric
Life Experience Portfolio Grading Rubric
Criteria	Ratings	Pts
Organization & Structure	10 pts Exceeds Expectations Portfolio is clearly organized by ASN objectives; sections and evidence are labeled and easy to navigate. 8 pts Meets Expectations Organization is clear with minor labeling or flow issues. 5 pts Approaching Expectations Organization is inconsistent; some objectives or evidence are difficult to locate. 2 pts Does Not Meet Expectations Portfolio lacks clear organization or objective separation.	/ 10 pts
Objective Alignment & Coverage	15 pts Exceeds Expectations All ASN objectives are fully addressed, separated, and clearly aligned with supporting evidence. 12 pts Meets Expectations All objectives are addressed; one or more are minimally developed. 8 pts Approaching Expectations One or more objectives are incomplete or weakly aligned with evidence. 4 pts Does Not Meet Expectations Multiple objectives are missing or not validated.	/ 15 pts
Student Narrative Quality & Reflection	15 pts Exceeds Expectations Narratives are professional, reflective, and clearly justify how experiences demonstrate mastery of each objective. 12 pts Meets Expectations Narratives explain attainment of objectives but lack depth or synthesis in places. 8 pts Approaching Expectations Narratives are mostly descriptive with limited reflection or weak connections. 4 pts Does Not Meet Expectations Narratives are missing or fail to explain attainment of objectives.	/ 15 pts
Supporting Documentation & Validation	15 pts Exceeds Expectations Evidence is comprehensive, relevant, clearly labeled, and fully validates each objective; required employer verification included. 12 pts Meets Expectations Evidence supports objectives but lacks full detail or clarity in one or two areas. 8 pts Approaching Expectations Evidence is limited, inconsistently labeled, or partially missing required validation. 4 pts Does Not Meet Expectations Evidence is missing, inappropriate, or unverifiable.	/ 15 pts
Specificity & Documentation Detail	15 pts Exceeds Expectations All evidence includes specific dates, locations, roles, and context; experiences are verifiable. 12 pts Meets Expectations Most evidence includes required details with minor omissions. 8 pts Approaching Expectations Documentation lacks sufficient specificity in several areas. 4 pts Does Not Meet Expectations Documentation is vague or unverifiable.	/ 15 pts
Professionalism & Academic Standards	10 pts Exceeds Expectations Writing is professional, clear, free of significant errors, and adheres to ethical and academic standards. 8 pts Meets Expectations Writing is professional with minor errors that do not impede understanding. 5 pts Approaching Expectations Frequent writing errors or lapses in professionalism are present. 2 pts Does Not Meet Expectations Writing is unprofessional or violates academic/ethical standards.	/ 10 pts