Departmental portfolio in nursing – An advanced instrument

SummaryIn this paper, we will demonstrate the importance of the departmental portfolio; suggest an execution plan, and present initial impressions from a pilot project of developing the concept of a departmental portfolio. The portfolio is well known in the field of nursing and so far has been used by individuals mainly as a personal tool in furthering one’s professional career. In this paper, we will suggest that expanding the use of a portfolio will be also beneficial at a collective level, by creating a departmental portfolio. The main objective of the departmental portfolio is to further the educational and professional development of the department members, by using it as an educating, evaluating, and administrative tool. We argue that a departmental portfolio should consist of several chapters: a professional presentation of the department, including its nursing world view; the work related to the development of the staff and education in service; information that coordinates actions designed to further the nursing treatment for patients, and information that depicts the achievements of the department in fields such as service, education, research, and publication.