Developing a professional portfolio in nursing.

A professional portfolio is a collection of carefully selected materials that document the nurse's competencies and illustrate the expertise of the nurse. Since a portfolio is developed over time, it also provides a way of monitoring professional development. By periodically reviewing the portfolio, nurses can assess their progress in meeting personal and professional goals and can better plan their careers in nursing. This article describes professional portfolios, their uses in nursing, and how to develop and maintain one.