Developing a Life Experience Portfolio for ASN Nursing Programs to Validate Prior Learning and Earn Academic Credit

PURPOSE

This Life Experience Portfolio allows students to demonstrate how prior academic, clinical, and professional experiences meet the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Program Objectives. Through this process, you can highlight specific skills gained from real-world applications in healthcare settings. Students must provide reflective narratives supported by objective, verifiable documentation.

OVERALL PORTFOLIO STRUCTURE

Submit ONE organized document (Word or PDF), one note workbook or a single binder if physical submission is required. Aim for a cohesive format that makes it simple for faculty to review your achievements and alignments.

Optional document layout:

1. 1. Cover Page

Include:

1. 1. • Student name
      • Program: Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
      • Course name and number
      • Faculty name
      • Semester and year
      • Submission date
   2. Table of Contents

List each ASN Program Objective with corresponding page numbers or labeled sections. This setup ensures quick access to each part of your submission.

1. 1. Preface (½–1 page)

Briefly describe:

1. 1. • Your academic and professional background (e.g., CNA/LPN experience, years in healthcare, prior degrees).
      • Your goal for completing the ASN program and future nursing career plans.
   2. Sections by ASN Program Objective

Create a separate section for EACH of the five ASN Program Objectives. Organize these to clearly show progression in your nursing competencies.

Each section must include ALL of the following:

A. Objective statement (copied verbatim)

B. Student-written narrative explanation

C. Evidence list (table or bullet format)

D. Attached documentation labeled to match the evidence list

1. 1. Conclusion (optional, 1 short paragraph)

Briefly reflect on how creating this portfolio influenced or confirmed your understanding of your learning and professional growth. Such a wrap-up can tie together your overall journey in nursing.

REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH OBJECTIVE

You must complete ALL four components below for each objective you are claiming. Start by ensuring each part directly connects back to your personal experiences.

A. Restate the Objective (Verbatim)

Example:

Objective 1: Use a clinical decision-making process to provide patient-centered care to diverse patients in all healthcare environments.

B. Narrative Explanation (½–1 page per objective)

Write 1–2 well-developed paragraphs using professional academic language. Focus on clarity to convey your insights effectively.

Paragraph 1 – Context:

• Identify where and how you gained this experience.
• Include setting, organization, role, dates of employment/clinical, and patient population.

Paragraph 2 – Demonstration:

• Explain what you actually DID that demonstrates the objective.
• Focus on actions, decisions, critical thinking, and outcomes.
• Refer directly to your evidence using evidence IDs (e.g., see O1 E1).

C. Evidence List

Create a small table or bullet list that clearly links evidence to the objective. Use this to make connections explicit for reviewers.

Each piece of evidence must include:

• Evidence ID (e.g., O1 E1)
• Type of evidence
• Source/issuer
• Date(s)
• Explanation of how it supports the objective

D. Attached Documentation

Attach at least ONE piece of concrete evidence per objective (2–4 is typical for strong portfolios). Select items that best illustrate your proficiency in nursing practices.

All attachments must:

• Be clearly labeled with the matching Evidence ID.
• Be referenced explicitly in the narrative.
• Be de-identified (no patient names or identifiers).

ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF EVIDENCE

Program-specific coursework:

• Prepared papers.
• Discussion posts
• Completed care plans.
• Examples of work designed or completed.
• Skills checklists

Additional Resources: (optional)

• Job descriptions. (Current position)
• Performance evaluations by a qualified professional, i.e. supervisor, professor. (Current position)
  • A statement from the employer must validate work experience and professionalism
• Photocopies of certificates. (active certifications ex. ACLS, BLS)
• Transcripts (unofficial UJ transcripts).
• Webinars/conferences attended (while a student)

These options provide flexibility to showcase a range of nursing-related accomplishments.

EMPLOYER / THIRD-PARTY VALIDATION (Optional)

Any work experience used as evidence MUST be validated by an employer or supervisor letter. Include this to add credibility to your claims.

Letters must:

• Be on organizational letterhead (or include contact information)
• Be signed and dated
• Verify role, dates of employment, and responsibilities
• Describe behaviors related to ASN objectives

Here is a template Letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

I verify that [Student Name] has been employed at [Organization] as a [Position] from [Start Date] to [End Date or “present”], averaging approximately [#] hours per week. In this role, [he/she/they] is responsible for [brief description of duties that align with objectives, e.g., performing patient assessments, collaborating with the healthcare team, implementing care plans, and documenting in the electronic health record].

In my experience, [Student Name] demonstrates [examples: sound clinical judgment, effective teamwork, professional behavior, cultural sensitivity, safe use of technology]. I believe these experiences contribute to meeting the learning objectives of the Associate of Science in Nursing program.

Sincerely,

[Supervisor Name, Credentials, Title]

[Contact Information]

Require letters to be on organizational letterhead or with contact info, signed and dated. This standard ensures authenticity in your portfolio submission.

FORMATTING & SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Typed, double-spaced narratives

• 12-point standard font

• Clear headings: Objective 1, Objective 2, etc.

• Consistent evidence labeling (O1 E1, O2 E1, etc.)

• Every evidence item must be cited in at least one narrative

• Total narrative length typically 5–8 pages plus evidence

Submit word doc, pdf, or onenote workbook. Follow these to present a polished, professional document.

FACULTY NOTES

• Each objective is evaluated independently.

• Faculty may request additional clinical validation for specific courses.

• Submission of a portfolio does not guarantee acceptance of all evidence.

• Faculty reserve the right to accept or reject documentation based on alignment with program standards.

Keep in mind that this evaluation focuses on quality and relevance to nursing standards.

Sample Answer Notes

Start with a strong preface that outlines your journey from CNA roles to pursuing ASN credentials. Detail specific instances, like leading a team in a long-term care facility to improve patient outcomes through evidence-based interventions. Include a narrative for Objective 1 where you describe adapting care plans for elderly patients with comorbidities during a 2023 clinical rotation. Ashipala and Mitekaro (2022) note that portfolios foster deeper self-assessment among nursing learners, enhancing professional development. Build your evidence list with items such as a skills checklist from a recent BLS certification renewal. Conclude by reflecting on how these experiences solidify your commitment to patient-centered nursing. Use the template letter to obtain supervisor validation for work-based claims.

Portfolios serve as vital tools in nursing education by allowing students to integrate real-world experiences with academic goals, leading to more personalized learning paths. Research from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing indicates that programs incorporating prior learning assessments see up to a 15% increase in student retention rates, drawing from case studies in community colleges across the U.S. Industry sites like the National League for Nursing emphasize that such experiential credits accelerate career advancement, supported by data showing faster program completion for experienced entrants.

Develop a life experience portfolio to show how prior experiences fulfill ASN nursing objectives with detailed narratives and documentation.

ASN Nursing Program Objectives

Upon completion of this Associate of Science in Nursing program, you will be prepared to:

• Use a clinical decision-making process to provide patient-centered care to diverse patients in all healthcare environments.
• Collaborate with patients, families and interdisciplinary team members to coordinate healthcare services that promote optimum states of health and wellness.
• Demonstrate professional behaviors of accountability and cultural humility when engaged in unselfish service to humankind.
• Use quality improvement processes to improve nursing practice and care for patients across the lifespan and continuum of care.
• Apply technology and current evidence to support safe and effective patient care.

How to Submit

Submit your completed life experience portfolio by 23:59 Central Sunday.

Life Experience Portfolio Grading Rubric

1. Ashipala, D. O. and Mitekaro, S. S. (2022) A qualitative descriptive enquiry of nursing students’ experiences of utilising a portfolio as an assessment tool in nursing and midwifery education. Nurse Education Today, 109, p. 105259. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2021.105259.
2. Mohajer, S., Bagheri, M. and Sadighi, A. H. (2023) The effect of professional portfolio learning on nursing students’ professional self-concepts in geriatric adult internship: a quasi-experimental study. BMC Medical Education, 23(138). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04097-4.
3. Karlsson, M., Hillström, L. and Österberg, K. (2022) Experiences of work-integrated learning in nursing education. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 46(10), pp. 1377-1390. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877X.2022.2079971.
4. Wei, F.-C., Chen, Y.-C. and Chang, S.-H. (2025) Enhancing nursing education through e-portfolios: evaluating the impact on learning effectiveness, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction of NPGY trainees. BMC Nursing, 24(12). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-01745-7.
5. Cheng, J., Lin, M.-C. and Wang, H.-Y. (2025) Integrating Kolb’s experiential learning theory into nursing education: a four-stage intervention with case analysis, mind maps, reflective journals, and peer simulations for advanced health assessment. Nurse Education in Practice, 75, p. 103890. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2024.103890.