Placements and portfolios: enhancing performance through experience and reflection

Abstract

The theory–practice gap continues to be a problem in healthcare. Catherine Best and Lucy Tymon explore how practice placements and portfolios can help with this The theory–practice gap remains prevalent in the healthcare profession; ultimately having the potential to impact negatively on patient care. The use of practice placements and portfolios can help to reduce this gap by supporting students to become self-regulating, self-directed learners able to take responsibility for achieving their defined learning outcomes, while reflecting critically on their experience and professional practice. A fundamental requirement, however, is the undivided commitment of the current nursing workforce to scaffold learning opportunities in high quality practice placements and to catalyse excellent support networks that promote effective collaboration. Such networks enable students to build confidence in their abilities to overcome the challenges they will undoubtedly face, during the often-difficult transition from student to registered nurse.