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Capstone Portfolio for BSN NSG 4633: Transition to
Practice, structured as a comprehensive document to
help you prepare for your final portfolio submission. This
includes examples and prompts that reflect the
expectations of a senior-level BSN capstone portfolio.
Student Information
- Name : [Your Full Name]
- Institution : [Nursing School Name]
- Course : NSG 4633 – Transition to Practice
- Instructor : [Instructor Name]
- Submission Date : [Date] Section 1: Resume & Cover Letter 1.1 Professional Nursing Resume Include a 1 - 2 page professional resume that contains:
- Objective or Summary Statement
- Education (include BSN, any ADN, diplomas)
- Clinical Rotations (location, specialty, and dates)
- Licensure (NCLEX-RN status, BLS, ACLS, etc.)
- Work/Volunteer Experience (especially healthcare-related)
- Skills (technical and soft skills) 1.2 Cover Letter Include a customized cover letter tailored to a position of your choice. The cover letter should:
- Be addressed to a specific hospital/unit
- Summarize your interest and qualifications
- Reflect your readiness to transition into practice Section 2: Philosophy of Nursing Prompt: Write a 1– 2 - page narrative describing your personal philosophy of nursing, including:
- Why you chose nursing
- Core values (e.g., compassion, advocacy, integrity)
- Influence of theory (e.g., Watson’s Caring Theory or Orem’s Self-Care Theory)
- How this philosophy will guide your practice as a professional RN Section 3: Clinical Reflection Logs
- Case management or social work Discuss the impact on patient outcomes and your role as a nurse. Section 5: Quality Improvement (QI) or Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Project 5.1 Title of Project E.g., “Reducing CAUTI Rates Through Nurse-Driven Protocols in Med-Surg Units” 5.2 Components:
- Background & Significance
- Literature Review Summary
- Intervention/Change Proposed
- Evaluation Methods
- Outcomes
- Implications for Practice Include APA citations and a reference list (minimum 3–5 peer-reviewed sources within 5 years). Section 6: Self-Assessment & Professional Goals 6.1 Strengths & Areas for Growth
- What are your top 3 nursing strengths?
- What areas do you need to improve (time management, assertiveness, clinical skills)?
- How have you grown during this program? 6.2 5-Year Professional Goals
- Immediate (within 6 months)
- Short-term (1–2 years)
- Long-term (3–5 years)
- Include specialty interests, certifications (e.g., CCRN, CPN), graduate school plans Section 7: Clinical Hours Log Upload a signed document listing:
- Dates
- Hours
- Clinical site/location
- Preceptor signature (if required)
- Total number of hours completed for capstone Section 8: Evaluation Tools & Checklists Include any:
- Preceptor evaluations
- Self-evaluations
- Skills checklists
Section 1: Resume & Cover Letter Sample Resume Objective Compassionate and detail-oriented BSN-prepared nursing graduate with over 500 hours of clinical experience across medical-surgical, critical care, and community settings. Committed to delivering patient-centered care through evidence-based practice, strong clinical judgment, and collaborative teamwork. Cover Letter (Excerpt) Dear Nurse Manager, I am writing to express my strong interest in the New Graduate Residency Program at Memorial Regional Hospital. My clinical rotations in critical care and med-surg have strengthened my time management and prioritization skills. I am confident in my ability to provide holistic, evidence-based care and am eager to learn and grow in your interdisciplinary team. Section 2: Nursing Philosophy (Excerpt) I believe nursing is both a science and an art—grounded in evidence and expressed through compassionate care. My practice is rooted in Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, emphasizing dignity, empathy, and trust. I entered nursing because I saw firsthand the difference nurses made during my grandfather’s palliative care. As a nurse, I strive to advocate for vulnerable populations, promote autonomy, and empower patients in their healing process.
Section 3: Clinical Reflection Log (Sample #1) Situation: While in my final med-surg rotation, I cared for a 68-year-old patient admitted for CHF exacerbation who became increasingly confused and hypotensive. Action Taken: I recognized early signs of sepsis, notified the RN, and assisted with stat labs and IV antibiotics. Outcome: The patient was stabilized and transferred to the ICU for closer monitoring. Reflection: This situation reinforced the importance of early recognition of deterioration and teamwork. I now feel more confident assessing subtle cues of decompensation. I also learned how to prioritize rapid response communication. Section 4: Leadership & Interprofessional Collaboration Leadership Experience Essay (Excerpt) During my preceptorship in the telemetry unit, I led a bedside huddle during shift change, including the physician, respiratory therapist, and dietician. I delegated vital signs to a CNA and educated the patient on heart failure self-management. I also advocated for a home health consult. My actions improved team efficiency and discharge planning. Section 5: QI/EBP Project Example
Section 7: Clinical Hours Log Date Location Unit Hours Preceptor Signature 01/20/ Mercy General Hospital Med- Surg 8 ___________________ 01/22/ Mercy General Hospital Med- Surg 8 ___________________ ... ... ... ... ... Total 120 Section 8: Evaluations & Checklist Attachments
- ☐ Preceptor Evaluation Form – Completed & Signed
- ☐ Final Clinical Evaluation – Scored “Meets Expectations”
- ☐ Self-Evaluation – Includes reflection on growth
- ☐ Clinical Competency Checklist – All items marked "Proficient" Appendices Suggestions
- Sample discharge teaching plan (e.g., CHF)
- PowerPoint from EBP poster presentation
- Email thank-you from unit educator
- Copy of ACLS/BLS card
- Picture of your capstone bulletin board (if applicable) Optional Section: Capstone Presentation (If Required by Program) Many BSN programs include an oral or visual presentation component. If your capstone includes this, use the following structure: Capstone Presentation Slide Outline (10–15 Minutes)
- Slide 1: Title Slide
- Name, course, date
- Capstone/Project title
- Slide 2: Introduction
- Purpose of the capstone
- Brief summary of your BSN journey
- Slide 3–5: Evidence-Based Practice Project
- Background/problem
- Proposed intervention
- Outcomes and clinical relevance
- Slide 6–7: Clinical Reflection
Sample Capstone Portfolio Grading Rubric (Typical) Category Points Possible Details Resume & Cover Letter 10 pts Clear, professional, error- free Philosophy of Nursing 10 pts Personal, reflective, values- based Clinical Reflections (min. 3 logs) 15 pts Thoughtful, uses reflection model Leadership & Interprofessional Practice 10 pts Demonstrates critical thinking QI/EBP Project 20 pts Research-based, well- organized Self-Assessment & Goals 10 pts Honest evaluation and SMART goals Clinical Hours Log 5 pts Verified, complete Evaluations/Checklists 5 pts All forms included
Category Points Possible Details Presentation (if applicable) 10 pts Confident, professional, organized TOTAL 100 pts Final Notes for Submission
- Submit as one consolidated PDF (use Word to PDF or PDF Merge tool).
- Use clear section headers for navigation.
- Consider a Table of Contents with hyperlinks if allowed. Final Organization & Submission Checklist Here’s how you can structure your final portfolio for submission (digital or printed): ✅ Suggested Portfolio Structure (with Section Titles) less CopyEdit Cover Page Table of Contents (with page numbers or hyperlinks)
- Table of Contents with Hyperlinks Especially useful for digital submission.
- Digital Badges or Certifications Include ACLS, BLS, NIHSS, etc.
- Reflection Quotes or Journaling Snippets Brief quotes from your personal journal can demonstrate emotional growth.
- Visuals Include graphs from QI project, screenshots of patient teaching materials, or clinical infographics (in appendices). Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q1: What if I don’t have a QI/EBP project from clinicals? A1: You can create a simulated or proposed project based on literature. Use a real issue (e.g., falls, pressure ulcers) and apply an evidence-based solution. Q2: Can I include patient stories in my reflections? A2: Yes, but de-identify all patient info (use initials only or “the patient”). Maintain HIPAA compliance. Q3: What if I haven’t reached all my clinical hours yet? A3: You can list current hours completed and note “To be completed by [date].” Be honest and update as soon as hours are finalized.
Q4: Can I reuse materials from earlier courses? A4: Yes—but revise and update them to reflect your current knowledge, growth, and standards for capstone-level work. Optional Oral Defense/Presentation (If Required) If your program includes an oral defense, poster presentation, or interview-style Q&A , use this structure and practice these common questions. Suggested Oral Defense Structure
1. Introduction (1 min) - Name, program, and capstone overview - Brief statement of your philosophy and what the portfolio represents 2. Key Clinical Experience (2–3 min) - Talk about a critical moment in clinicals - Emphasize your judgment, advocacy, or skill development 3. QI/EBP Project (2–3 min) - Present your project's purpose, intervention, and outcome - Highlight how it supports patient safety or nursing efficiency 4. Leadership/Collaboration Example (2 min) - Describe a situation that tested your communication or delegation - Share how you coordinated care with interprofessional teams
Item Why Include It Where to Place Licensure Application Confirmation Shows readiness to enter workforce Appendices ATI/HESI Exit Exam Scores Demonstrates academic achievement Appendices Graduation Audit Form (^) Confirms degree completion Appendices Photos of Clinical Experience (HIPAA-safe) Adds personality and authenticity End of document or Appendices Clinical Case Study Paper or Poster Showcases your academic writing or presentation skill Section 5 or Appendix Letters of Recommendation or Evaluations Strengthens professional profile Appendix B or C
