Moving Nursing Program Portfolio Assessment From Midterm to End of Program: Lessons Learned

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Assessment Methods

Background:

• Portfolio assessment is crucial for evaluating nursing student knowledge and skills not captured by traditional exams.
• It fosters a culture of evidence and assesses program outcomes effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the process of relocating portfolio assessment to the end of a nursing program.
• To highlight the logistics, rubric development, and lessons learned from this transition.

Main Methods:

• A Midwestern nursing school implemented a shift in its portfolio assessment timing.
• Key aspects included logistical planning, rubric creation, and documenting the experience.

Main Results:

• Portfolio assessment was successfully moved to the program's conclusion.
• The process provided valuable insights into implementation challenges and successes.

Conclusions:

• Relocating portfolio assessment requires careful planning regarding logistics and rubric design.
• Lessons learned can inform other nursing programs considering similar changes to their assessment strategies.