Nurses Have A Responsibility To Maintain Their Competence

Nurses Have A Responsibility Of Maintaining Their Competence As They

Nurses have a responsibility of maintaining their competence, as they are accountable for what they do in practice. Nursing academic portfolios offer an opportunity for student nurses to demonstrate their capacity for self-evaluation, empowerment, and self-reflection. An academic portfolio is a form of experiential learning, where student nurses identify their learning needs and establish their future careers. The journey to develop academically and professionally requires student nurses to establish an academic portfolio, which incorporates a plan that would subsequently assist in seeking employment opportunities and advancing their careers through further education.

One of the strategies for incorporating academic activities and accomplishments into my professional development goals is through the use of ePortfolio. ePortfolio helps cultivate meaningful learning experiences by allowing students to compile artifacts that showcase specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes, which in turn helps in sharing ideas and making connections (Douglas et al., 2019). It enables students to track academic activities and accomplishments throughout the year on a virtual platform. As a nurse aspiring to take a management position in a clinical setting, I can utilize the ePortfolio to communicate my experiences and achievements to colleagues, demonstrating my qualifications for leadership roles.

Another strategy for enhancing academic activities towards professional development is attending nursing professional development events. Workshops and conferences provide opportunities to learn about career trajectories, hone practical skills, and handle real-world situations more effectively. Nurses can volunteer to lead health teams or organize community health initiatives, which not only exercises their knowledge and skills but also fosters professional connections within their localities (Bindon, 2017). Such engagement enhances confidence, expands professional networks, and supports ongoing learning.

Dyson (2018) emphasizes the importance of volunteering in preparing nurses for contemporary practice. Volunteering allows student nurses to develop competencies aligned with their career goals and demonstrates their commitment to social responsibility. Choosing specific competencies to showcase in their portfolios should align with their future employment plans. As a student nurse, I aim to align my goals with the university’s emphasis on social change, which involves promoting health as a human right and addressing social injustice through health promotion strategies (Valderama-Wallace, 2017).

Social change, as defined by Walden University, involves applying ideas and strategies to foster action research and support collaborative efforts toward sustainable health improvements. I am committed to effecting positive social change by acquiring vital skills and establishing professional connections. My academic portfolio will serve as a foundation for further research into health promotion practices and social change initiatives. Maintaining an academic portfolio will help me identify my strengths and create a learning plan to address societal needs (Cope & Murray, 2018).

I intend to contribute to social change by engaging with patients in their communities and referring chronic illness patients to necessary local services. The use of an ePortfolio will facilitate connections with future employers and help secure referrals for employment opportunities. My long-term goal is to obtain an advanced degree, which will enable me to deepen my expertise in nursing practice and expand my scope of influence within the healthcare system.

Paper For Above instruction

Maintaining competence is a fundamental responsibility for nurses, anchored in the core principles of accountability and continuous professional development. As the healthcare landscape becomes increasingly complex, it is essential that nurses engage in strategies that enhance their skills, knowledge, and ability to adapt to evolving demands. The use of academic portfolios, including electronic portfolios (ePortfolios), has become an integral component of professional development, providing a platform for self-assessment, reflection, and showcasing achievements to prospective employers (Douglas et al., 2019). An academic portfolio not only functions as a record of competencies but also as a tool for strategic career planning, enabling student nurses to identify learning needs, document progress, and align their efforts with future career aspirations.

The significance of ePortfolios in nursing education and practice cannot be overstated. They facilitate meaningful learning experiences by allowing students to compile artifacts such as certificates, project reports, reflection essays, and multimedia presentations that demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes. This compilation encourages deeper engagement with learning content, fosters self-awareness, and enhances reflective practice—all crucial for maintaining competence in a dynamic healthcare environment (Douglas et al., 2019). Moreover, ePortfolios promote ongoing tracking of academic and clinical achievements, providing tangible evidence of growth over time and supporting career advancement through documentation of competencies and experiences.

As an aspiring nurse leader, I recognize the importance of leveraging ePortfolios to communicate my qualifications, experiences, and leadership capabilities. By systematically documenting my accomplishments and reflections, I can present a comprehensive professional profile that highlights my readiness for management roles. Additionally, ePortfolios facilitate networking and collaboration by making it easier to share my work with colleagues and mentors, garner feedback, and establish professional connections essential for career progression.

Beyond individual self-development, active engagement in professional development activities such as workshops, conferences, and volunteering enhances competence and prepares nurses for contemporary practice challenges (Bindon, 2017). Attending workshops allows nurses to update their clinical skills, learn about cutting-edge research, and explore advanced care models, which can directly translate into improved patient outcomes. Volunteering, in particular, fosters a sense of social responsibility, exposes nurses to diverse populations, and enhances cultural competence—attributes vital for holistic and patient-centered care (Dyson, 2018). Volunteering also provides practical experience that complements formal education, broadening nurses’ perspectives and competencies.

Aligning personal professional goals with broader social change initiatives is also critical for modern nursing practice. Nurses are uniquely positioned to advocate for health equity and social justice, promoting health as a human right and addressing social determinants of health (Valderama-Wallace, 2017). By incorporating social change into their portfolios, nurses signal their commitment to these values and demonstrate their capacity to lead initiatives that foster community well-being. Walden University emphasizes social change as a strategic approach to applying innovative ideas, conducting action research, and forming collaborative alliances that sustain health improvements (Walden University, n.d.).

For me, contributing to social change involves engaging in community outreach, supporting health education, and referring chronic illness patients to accessible local resources. Such activities exemplify a nurse’s role beyond the clinical setting, emphasizing advocacy and community engagement. My academic portfolio will serve as both a reflection of my current competencies and a basis for planning future initiatives that support social justice and health promotion.

Furthermore, the pursuit of advanced education is integral to expanding one's expertise and influence in the nursing profession. Achieving advanced degrees, such as a master's or doctorate, will enable me to specialize further, engage in research, and lead organizational change. The continuous process of portfolio development will support this journey by documenting my educational milestones, research activities, and leadership experiences, creating a compelling case for my professional growth.

In conclusion, nurses bear the responsibility of maintaining and enhancing their competence through proactive strategies such as utilizing ePortfolios, participating in professional development activities, volunteering, and committing to social change. These efforts not only improve individual practice but also contribute to the broader goal of health promotion and social justice. Developing and sustaining a comprehensive academic portfolio is a practical step toward lifelong learning, professional excellence, and meaningful societal impact, ultimately strengthening the nursing profession’s role in fostering healthier communities.

References

• Bindon, S. L. (2017). Professional development strategies to enhance nurses’ knowledge and maintain safe practice. AORN Journal, 106(2), 99-110.
• Cope, V., & Murray, M. (2018). Use of professional portfolios in nursing. Nursing Standard, 32(30).
• Douglas, M. E., Peecksen, S., Rogers, J., & Simmons, M. (2019). College students' motivation and confidence for ePortfolio use. International Journal of ePortfolio, 9(1), 1-16.
• Dyson, S. (2018). Preparing nurses for contemporary nursing practice. In Critical pedagogy in nursing (pp. ). Palgrave Macmillan, London.
• Valderama-Wallace, C. P. (2017). Critical discourse analysis of social justice in nursing's foundational documents. Public Health Nursing, 34(4), .
• Walden University. (n.d.). Social change in nursing. Walden University Digital Resources.