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Two strategies for including academic activities and accomplishments into my professional development goals as a registered nurse working as a school nurse and pursuing my MSN program for family nurse practitioner are creating a nursing portfolio and developing a positive nursing digital identity with an ePortfolio.

Creating a nursing portfolio allows you to showcase your academic achievements, professional experiences, and skills. It provides a comprehensive overview of your educational background, certifications, and ongoing professional development activities. Burns (2018) and Casey and Egan (2013) discuss the use of portfolios for career enhancement in nursing, emphasizing the importance of organizing evidence of your accomplishments and skills. For example, you can include certificates from relevant workshops or conferences you attended, evidence of your participation in quality improvement projects, and any scholarly papers or presentations you have completed. This strategy helps you keep track of your accomplishments, identify areas for growth, and present a strong case for your professional development and advancement.

Developing a nursing digital identity with an ePortfolio is another effective strategy. Hannans and Olivo (2017) highlight the importance of crafting a positive nursing digital identity, which involves creating an online portfolio that showcases your achievements, values, and professional goals. You can create a professional website or use platforms specifically designed for ePortfolios. This strategy allows you to showcase your professional achievements and engage with a broader audience, including potential employers and colleagues. You can include examples of your work, such as evidence-based projects, research publications, and reflections on your clinical experiences. By maintaining an ePortfolio, you demonstrate your commitment to ongoing professional growth and contribute to the visibility and credibility of the nursing profession.

These strategies align with Walden University's emphasis on social change. The university emphasizes the importance of applying knowledge and skills to create positive change in communities and society. By creating a nursing portfolio and developing a positive nursing digital identity, you demonstrate your commitment to lifelong learning and professional growth, which directly contributes to your ability to make a difference in the lives of your patients and the broader healthcare system. For example, you can include evidence of your involvement in community health initiatives, advocacy projects, or research that address social determinants of health or healthcare disparities. By showcasing these activities in your portfolio or ePortfolio, you demonstrate your dedication to promoting social change and improving the health outcomes of individuals and communities.

In conclusion, creating a nursing portfolio and developing a positive nursing digital identity with an ePortfolio are two effective strategies for including academic activities and accomplishments into your professional development goals as a registered nurse working as a school nurse and pursuing your MSN program. These strategies align with Walden University's emphasis on social change by showcasing your commitment to lifelong learning, professional growth, and making a positive impact in the field of nursing.

References:

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.

Hannans, J., & Olivo, Y. (2017). Craft a positive nursing digital identity with an ePortfolio. American Nurse Today, 12(11), 48–49.

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· Collapse Subdiscussion Sherry Lambert

Sherry Lambert

WednesdayJul 12 at 2:49pm

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Daun, I enjoyed reading your post. I’m sure school nursing is hard. It is an unappreciated nursing career. I like how you stated that a portfolio helps to organize all of your achievements and skills. I need help getting organized. I am excited to start a portfolio. I feel it will help me to feel more confident and organized. I will have one place that I can go to if someone has a question or if I am looking for something career related. According to Hannans and Olivo 2017, there are a few different ways to create a eporfolio such as using a website like Portfolium or Pathbrite. They also mentioned that using LinkedIn, a social media platform to help build your career profile. There is also a downside to using a social media platform like LinkedIn because it doesn’t allow you design flexibility. They also talk about how we should be super careful with what we post on social media since it is our image to the public and we are constantly being scrutinized by others. We want our image as a healthcare professional to remain intact. Margaret Burns states that having a Portfolio assists with self-promotion, provides evidence of nursing competence and it also provides a structure and direction. What do you think will be your biggest advantage to using an eporfolio?

Reference

Burns, M. (2018). Creating a nursing portfolio. Ohio Nurses Review. Vol 93(3). Pp. 16-17.

Hannans, J and Olivo, Y. (2017). Craft a positive nursing digital identity with an eporfolio.

American Nurse Today. Volume 12(11). Pp. 48-49.