The master's portfolio: validating a career in advanced practice nursing.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the process of portfolio development and faculty review that offers graduate credit within a framework of structural empowerment and mentoring for documented educational and clinical accomplishments for family nurse practitioners (FNPs).


METHODS
Selected literature and examples from one student's portfolio to illustrate the process.


CONCLUSIONS
The degree granting process assists certified FNPs to fulfill career aspirations through achieving graduate level education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, School of Nursing.


CONCLUSIONS
The portfolio process affords practicing FNPs not only the opportunity to acquire an advanced degree but a framework for examining and validating a career. For the student in this exemplar, it was a "significant, introspective, satisfying learning experience," a rare opportunity in a busy professional life.
Hayes
Eileen
E
Family Nurse Practitioner Program, University of Massachusetts, Hampshire College Health Services, Amherst, Mass., USA. efhayes@nursing.umass.edu
Chandler
Genevieve
G
Merriam
Dorothy
D
King
M Christine
MC
D002983:Clinical Competence; D004282:Documentation / Q000379:methods*; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education*