title: [Portfolio in nursing school: myth or reality].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The portfolio is a new tool that has been introduced for the setting up of a new program concerning the nurse training. It aims at the would-be nurse to improve their self-reliance and make them assess themselves through a critical and reflexive approach. Indeed, the portfolio is mostly made up of sheets that the student has to fill in when describing and analysing several professional conditions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study is about the assessment of the relevance in the portfolio that each nurse student owns in order to make them improve their reflexive practical. The work will, thus, suggest different ways of thinking and improving the use of the tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 portfolios were chosen randomly among the 2nd year students, because 180 analysis were assessed thanks to a grid. 10 viewpoints from volunteer students were gathered after several semi directive interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The qualitative and evaluative analysis shows that the students develop the reflexive practical throughout their trainings. It seems, indeed, relevant to choose the portfolio in order to help the students to develop this way of working. According to them, there are several positive points such as the distance towards an event, an awareness-raising of the acquisition, feedbacks about the quality of the text by the trainer and an ability to assess oneself. Yet, even though it was created 18 months ago, there are some limits such as the too short period of mentoring and feedback, the lack of time for the students to write their analysis, the fact that it is not a practical tool, and the unclear description of assessment criteria. In order to fulfil the needs, some solutions are to be found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The portfolio is clearly helpful for the students who wish to increase/improve gradually their reflexive practice. Thus, the trainer's role is crucial, when he is a supervisor.
authors.affiliation: Cadre de Santé Formateur, IFSI Pitié - Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris 13ème. chantal.garnier@dfc.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garnier
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marchand
mesh_terms: D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013338:Students, Nursing