Designing An Attractive Portfolio For Becoming A Pediatric Nurse Specialist

Portfolio and its uses

Portfolio is one of the most important aspects of professional career and the portfolio allows the individual to provide concrete and collective records of the experience and degrees of the individual to the organization they are seeking to start career in. It has to be mentioned in this context, that the concept of portfolio encompasses a living and changing collection of the records that reflect the accomplishments, experiences, skills and attributes that have been acquired or developed by the individual in the course of their life.

Along with that, portfolio serves as a potent tool in marketing oneself to the rest of the world, especially the employers, corporations, colleges and universities. Hence, it is a simple and yet very effective manner of letting the employers recognize and understand the competence, expertise and skills that the individual might have before making the choice of hiring or getting enrolled in professional courses (Cadd, 2016).

I will like to be in the pediatric ward as it is my main area of interest. I have had experience of working in hospital. I think I can serve your organization with my knowledge and experience. I hold a bachelor degree of Nursing. I am writing this portfolio in order to express my enthusiasm as a candidate for the post of pediatric Nurses Position at your medical center. I am very interested in the job vacancy announcement posted on (the source name) for this vacancy. I am very much energetic in nature and highly motivated to continue my duty as a staff nurse. However, I will be very much thankful if I can get chance to serve the society by giving quality care to the patients specifically to the new born and children.

Portfolio and its uses

Being an aspirant nursing professional myself, I understand the importance of having a perfect, spotless and attractive portfolio myself. Ever since childhood, the concept of providing care and support to the needy and ailing has attracted me, and having the opportunity to provide the care needed to the children had been my biggest dream in my life. I have veered my education in a direction where I can become a nurse specialist myself in the paediatric nursing department.

This paper will be my attempt at designing an attractive resume portfolio for myself which highlights each of my achievements and expertise that I have acquired till date so that I can become a nurse specialist in the paediatric departments and achieve my dream. The appropriately made portfolio can act as the tool for me that will help in setting me apart from the hundreds and helps me to put across how I should be the ultimate choice for the employers in Institute of Health and Management, Australia (Green, Wyllie & Jackson, 2014). In addition to this, my resume, registration certificates, experience certificates are attached in the appendix section of this report. My IELTS score report is also attached to this report.

Portfolio Design and its Characteristics

Portfolio Design and its Characteristics

As discussed by Chawla (2017), a portfolio can be defined as the collective assortment or record or all of the educational, professional and personal achievements in life which highlights the achievements, experiences, skills and academic performance. The portfolio highlights and showcases example of some of the best work experience including the life experiences, values and achievements of the individual.

It holds extreme value in the present day employment scenario. For instance, the authors have mentioned that the personal information that an individual incorporates in the life of an individual holds great importance in the portfolio and it also can greatly affect and reflect on the ability as an individual. Along with that, portfolio serves as a potent tool in marketing oneself to the rest of the world, especially the employers, corporations, colleges and universities (Bice & Wyatt, 2017). Lastly, it can be mentioned in this context, the portfolio does not take the place of the resume, on the other hand, it accelerates and accentuates the ability of the individual and also helps the individual to explain what they want to offer to the chosen field that they are pursuing the career in (Cadd, 2016).

On a similar note, the portfolio if made appropriately can act as the tool that helps in setting oneself apart from the hundreds having the same degrees and experiences, it helps the individual put across how he or she is the better choice and why he or she should be the ultimate choice for the employers in Institute of Health and Management (IHM), Australia. I am writing this portfolio in order to express my enthusiasm as a candidate for the post of paediatric Nurses Position at your medical centre. I am very interested in the learner vacancy announcement posted on for this vacancy. I am very much energetic in nature and highly motivated to continue my duty as a staff nurse. However, I will be very much thankful if I can get chance to serve the society by giving quality care to the patients specifically to the new born and children.

Gibbs Reflection Cycle:

Description:

I am Rajinder Kaur, daughter of Shri Tarlok Singh and I have been a quite good academic student all throughout my life, I had completed by secondary and higher secondary education from the Punjab school education board, where I scored 76.3% marks which I believe is considerably good. As mentioned above, my aim at life had always been to proceed with the nursing and hence I enrolled in the degree of bachelors nursing degree in the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences in the year of 2012. It had been a wonderful experience of three years and I have learned a variety of things from the experience that I have had.

Gibbs Reflection Cycle

I graduated with my B.Sc. in nursing from the university in the year of 2016, and attained 71.1% marks. Although, I had not been able to achieve distinction grade in any of the subjects, yet I believe more than 70% marks indicates at my performance to be quite good. Post obtaining the degree, I started my career in the Sachdeva Hospital as a staff nurse from 22^nd November and I worked there for two years and resigned on 9^th of January, 2018 to progress in my career as a nurse specialist. I also had experience of working with children and I have also cleared my IELTS exam which I believe sets me a few steps ahead in getting the opportunity to get enrolled in the IHM Australia.

Feelings:

While describing my feelings, I would first and foremost like to mention that I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that I have attained that has helped me achieve everything I have, even though I have went through a few hardships as well. My secondary results have been very good for which I had been ecstatic and confident to pursue my dream of working as a nursing professional. However, my results in the Bachelor in nursing degree had not been as good as I had expected it to be as I did not score distinction marks in any of the subjects, which demotivated me for a period. Although, it lasted for only a few months as.

I got the opportunity to work in the Sachdeva Hospital shortly. The experience of working there had been extremely good and although I had been extremely nervous while starting practice, the staff there had been very supportive and helpful. Their welcoming response to me helped me develop a variety of skills which I could only develop from practice. They have always praised me for my dedication, co-operation and communication skills which helped grow at each step. Although I had my fair share of conflicts and errors committed, I learned effective interpersonal communication skills which helped me resolve any conflict situation easily, that helped me feel more confidence with each day.

Evaluation:

The evaluation section of the Gibbs reflection cycle provides the opportunity for the individual to reflect on the good and bad points of the experience (Tanaka, Okamoto & Koide, 2018). In this case, I have mainly good experiences to highlight. First and foremost, my educational performance had been good at all times and I had been a sincere and dedicated student all throughout my life. The dedication and sincerity has reflected in my professional career as well, which has helped me gain the respect of the senior staff and management in the Sachdeva Hospital as a hardworking, dedicated, efficient and co-operative employee.

Another good aspect that I would like to mention in here includes my experience of working with the children which gave me immense joy while engaging with them playfully and the children also liked me. It is crucial for the nursing professionals working in the paediatric ward must engage with the children, gain their trust, and develop a playful camaraderie with the children so that the children are comfortable with them and they can share their concerns more easily. The only bad experience that I have had includes the lack of confidence and acculturation issues I experienced while in college in Amritsar.

Analysis:

Analysing the experience that I have had, I would like to mention that I possess almost all of the skills that is required to study further to attain the career of professional nurse specialist in the paediatric ward. I would like to mention that the institute of health and management is one of the greatest academic institutions in Australia for pursuing higher education in nursing and hence I have chosen this institute to go forward in my career, and I believe I possess all the skills, expertise and credibility required to be a deserving candidate for this position.

Along with having a good academic records, I have had a long experience of working in the hospital, which has helped me develop practical skills of handling patients, providing care and co-operating in a multidisciplinary care setting. The gap between theoretical and practical knowledge in nursing has been reported to be a very crucial factor affecting the performance and competences of the nurses transitioning into practice (Monaghan, 2015). As I have already had a two year long experience of working in a hospital with an excellent experience certificate,

I believe I am a deserving candidate. Along with that, I have also had a notable experience of working with the children as well, which is another feather in my cap in terms of professional experience and knowledge which will help me become an efficient and competent paediatric nurse. Lastly, acculturation and language barrier has proved to be significant issues for the nurses or nursing students that have migrated to Australia. I have also cleared my IELTS test as well, which indicates I am good in the language aspects as well which will help me adjust in the learning environment in Australia as well.

Conclusion and Action plan:

On a concluding note, I believe I have gathered all of the knowledge, experience and expertise that is required to attain a post graduate degree from the esteemed institution IHM, Australia. I will be equally dedicated and hardworking to bring out my best while studying in the institution and will be an efficient nurse when I start practice as a nurse specialist in the paediatric setting. I would be taking extra efforts to enrol in skill improvement programs to improve my concentration, attention and communication skills further to hone my competence further.

Benner’s Stages of clinical competence

According to Benner’s Stage of clinical competence a caregiver or nurse has to undergo through the five stages of development (Brouwer et al., 2016). These five stages are Novice, Advance beginner, Competent, Proficient and Expert. Beginners have had no experience of the situations in which they are expected to perform (Alligood, 2017). Advanced beginners are those who can demonstrate marginally acceptable performance.

Competence, nurse has been on the job in the same or similar situations two or three years, develops when the nurse begins to see his or her actions in terms of long-range goals or plans. The proficient performer perceives situations as a whole rather than chopped up parts or aspects, and performance is guided by maxims (Brouwer et al., 2016). The expert performer no longer relies on an analytic principle namely rule, guideline and maxim to connect her or his understanding of the situation to an appropriate action.

I have completed my graduation degree in Nursing Science from Baba Harid University of Health Science, Amritsar in 2016. Along with that I have completed my internship of 2 years from Sachdeva Hospital in 2018.  Therefore in my career, I am currently in the stage of competent nurse because I have the experience of being in paediatric department for two years. I have also completed my basic academic degree to be considered as an advanced beginner. Therefore my goal is to reach the final stage of this model, which is expert nurse through pursuing the fourth stage named Proficient nurse. It will help me to have enormous background of experience while having intuitive grasp on large range of unfruitful, alternative diagnoses and solutions.

Artefacts Included:

I was born in 15^th March 1992 in a small town named Dhingi at Punjab, India. From my childhood I am very passionate about treating people and providing healthcare services. People with poor health condition always makes my desire to be a successful nurse and to relive those people from indescribable sufferings. I am the only child of my parents and they always cooperates with me to make my dream comes true. At the very beginning of my teenage phase I realised an attraction towards becoming a nurse which had strengthen my willingness forever.

Besides, from my high school days I had interest in bio-science, human anatomy and medical science. As a result, I have got my bachelor degree in nursing and healthcare science and now I am preparing for higher study to be a clinical nurse specialist in paediatric department. I have been working in a hospital industry for 2 years, with my most recent experience being a Nurse at Sachdeva Hospital, India as a staff nurse. I possess valuable skills such as con?dence and empathy that I believe make me best suited for the position of Nurse.

I have several hobbies that keeps my recreational self active and happy. Among my many hobbies, the most essential is photography. I love to take photograph of nature and people. Besides, my another hobby is playing piano. When I become sad I use to take up my piano start playing. Music helps me to be peaceful and passionate towards my targets. On the other hand photography helps me to visualise my surroundings from other perspectives. I also like to frame cultures and their uniqueness in my photography. My mission is to prosper in my nursing career and be an efficient nursing specialist in paediatric department.  To achieve these aims I have planed my further path study and professional direction.  

I finished my education at Government Medical College under Baba Farid University of Health Sciences with a degree in Bachelor of Nursing. I have done internships during the fourth semester of my bachelor degree at Government Medical College. After that, I have started my tiny carrier at Sachdeva Hospital. There I worked as a staff nurse for two years. I have received my matriculation or tenth level degree in 2010 from Punjab School Education Board.

I have finished my secondary level education of 12^th level in 2012 from PSEB with the subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Computer Science. I have completed my  graduation degree in Nursing Science from Baba Farid University of Health Science, Amritsar in 2016. I have completed my internship of 2 years from Sachdeva Hospital in 2018. I can use these experiences in my future professional field as a Clinical Nursing Specialist in paediatric department. The knowledge I have gained through my previous academic journey can help me to pursue further higher qualification.

Matriculation	Senior Secondary	B.sc Nursing
2010	2010-2012	2012-2016
Govt. Senior Secondary School, Punjab School Education Board	Govt. Senior Secondary School, Punjab School Education Board	Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot.

 As a nurse my main goal is to learn and develop my professional skills and I believe that this kind of enthusiasm to work will make me a good employee for any organization. In my previous organization , my responsibilities include:

• Monitoring the condition of the patients and reporting ant abnormalities.
• Administering the medications in compliance with the established policies and standards.
• Preparing and implementing the customized interdisciplinary care plan.
• Ensuring cleanliness and hygiene in the patients’ rooms.
• Identifying physical and psychological requirements of the patients.
• Taking care of new borns.

My self-assessment as nurse is as below.

Patient care – 5/10

Acute care- 9/10

Ventilator care5/10

Treatment planning- 6/10

Clinical experience- 4/10

Critical care- 8/10

Paediatric care- 8/10

A philosophy of nursing refers the process of identifying and highlighting the beliefs of any caregiver or nurse, which are important to the healthcare profession as well as to the person (Smith & Parker, 2015). The philosophy of nursing consists of some core information that helps individual to interpret the purpose, duties and responsibilities of the nursing profession. It consists of the ideologies that make an individual a nurse, as opposed to being another profession. It also indicates the choice of individual to identify an ideal nurse. Apart from that the philosophy of nursing can help any individual to express such a wide-ranging profession in only one word. The core believes anyone has is the most important part of nursing as both a profession and a lifestyle (Masters, 2014).  

My philosophy of nursing is that all patients’ needs holistic approach to gain a complete recovery that should involve the physical care, mental support, socio-cultural support and healthy relationship with caregivers. The nursing philosophy of Florence Nightingales influenced my nursing philosophy. In accordance with that philosophy, my nursing philosophy also includes the cleanliness and making healthy atmosphere around the patients (Utley, Kristina Henry & Smith, 2017). I think patient should also have the access to the nature, greenery, free air. In child treatment, my philosophy is that the child can be cured completely only with approach that can make the child fill secured and relaxed.

My mission is to provide effective healthcare service to my patient with a holistic approach while taking care of their physical disabilities, mental health, cultural perspective and economic background with providing clean, green and natural environment. My secondary mission is to prosper in my nursing career and be an efficient nursing specialist in paediatric department.  To achieve these aims I have planed my further path study and professional direction. Throughout my professional work I will always try to maintain a healthy and cooperative relationship with my peers and subordinates. My goal is to be a successful leader in future while managing a supportive nursing group in paediatric department.

Selection Criteria or career development

I will like to be in the paediatric ward as it is my main area of interest. I have had experience of working in hospital. I think I can serve your organization with my knowledge and experience. I hold a bachelor degree of Nursing. My resume is attached for you to review, with a complete, chronological list of my work and academic history. If you give me a chance to work with your center, I assure you that I will leave no stone unturned in rendering my services. Hope you will reply positively.Thank you for this opportunity; and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

My ultimate carrier goal is to be a specialist nurse in paediatric department and to provide effective healthcare service to my patient with a holistic approach while taking care of their physical disabilities, mental health, cultural perspective and economic background with providing clean, green and natural environment. For this I am pursuing to complete the masters degree in nursing science while equally having professional experience in nursing field. I am searching for a scope to develop my leadership ability in healthcare environment with which I can lead a team in a collaborative attitude. Apart from that I also want to build my own care-home in future where children from very low economic background can have appropriate treatment and care with free of cost.

In paediatric care my aim will be to provide a holistic approach while involving the parents in the therapeutic decision making. Every child needs a comfort zone that can enable to caregiver to provide required clinical and medial support to the child (Okada & Tomari, 2017). Therefore, I will try to create the comfort zone for my early aged patients, which will enable them to cooperate with me and my therapeutic approach. My resume, registration certificates, experience certificates are attached in the appendix section of this report. My IELTS score report is also attached to this report to testify all conveyed information.

Reference

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Bice, A. A., & Wyatt, T. H. (2017). Holistic comfort interventions for pediatric nursing procedures: A systematic review. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 35(3), 280-295.

Brouwer, R., Jones, C. T., Benner, J., Casey, B., & Neidecker, M. V. (2016). Academic Preparation in Clinical Research. Clinical Researcher. 8(4),  206.

Cadd, M. (2016). The electronic portfolio as assessment tool and more: The Drake University model. IALLT Journal of Language Learning Technologies, 42(1).

Chawla, J. K. (2017). Unit-33 Portfolio Making. IGNOU. , 2(8)., 83.

Green, J., Wyllie, A., & Jackson, D. (2014). Electronic portfolios in nursing education: A review of the literature. Nurse education in practice, 14(1), 4-8.

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Monaghan, T. (2015). A critical analysis of the literature and theoretical perspectives on theory–practice gap amongst newly qualified nurses within the United Kingdom. Nurse Education Today, 35(8), e1-e7. , 103.

Okada, M., & Tomari, Y. (2017). Thinking Process of Nursing Students’ Clinical Judgment in Pediatric Nursing Practicum. Open Journal of Nursing, 7(11), 1258.

Smith, M. C., & Parker, M. E. (2015). Nursing theories and nursing practice. FA Davis.

Tanaka, M., Okamoto, R., & Koide, K. (2018). Relationship between Reflective Practice Skills and Volume of Writing in a Reflective Journal. Health, 10(03), 283.

Utley, R., Kristina Henry, D. N. P., & Smith, L. (2017). Frameworks for Advanced Nursing Practice and Research: Philosophies, Theories, Models, and Taxonomies. Springer Publishing Company.