BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING:

NCM 107A – NURSING LEADERSHIP

AND MANAGEMENT

COURSE MODULE COURSE UNIT WEEK

3 15 17
Professional Adjustment (Applying, Resigning, Portfolio Preparation & Job
Interview

✓ Study the course and unit objectives

✓ Understand study guide prior to attending the class
✓ Read prerequisite learning resources
✓ Partake in classroom activity
✓ Be included in weekly discussion
✓ Answer and submit course unit task
At the end of this unit, the students are expected to:

Cognitive:

1. Describe on how to find a job to apply to.

2. Select the common tips for applying a job.
3. Identify when and how to resign from the work.
4. Design a professional portfolio.
5. Understand the purpose of interviews.

Affective:

1. Work effectively in collaboration with inter-, intra- and multi-disciplinary and multi-
cultural teams
2. Join actively in class discussions and group activities.
3. Appreciate and support one’s opinion and comments toward each other
4. Engage in life-learning with a passion to keep current with national and global
developments
5. Accept mutual responsibility for reaching predetermined supraordinate goals.

Psychomotor:

1. Demonstrate a professional attitude during the job interview.

2. Identify the role of interviewee and the interviewer.
Introduction
After a graduate decided what type of nursing one wants to do and where one wants to
practice, one needs to locate job openings. Professional journals advertise positions, and
college placement services and employment agencies maintain job listing. Recruiters are
often at professional meetings. One can ask friends, acquaintances, and relatives if they
know of openings. The web can be searched, and employers can be contacted easily
through emails. Most especially now due to technology its easy to find ways how to find
a job opening. Nowadays nurses don’t find difficulty in searching for a job opening.

Application form
It is a quick way to collect demographic information. For the manager, personal history
data educational background, work experience, and other pertinent information can be
used.
The institutions of choice must be contacted to obtain an application form to start the
hiring process.
The application should be an attractive, typed document to give a good first impression.
Form can now be found on line.

Resume
Resume is a summary of information about one’s education, employment (if any) and
professional and personal history. The employer usually uses the resume to determine
which candidates will be interviewed. It should be carefully developed and updated
periodically.
• Printed on high quality 8.5 by 11inch typing paper using laser printer
• Should never be handwritten
• Contents should be well arranged
• With major and minor headings to facilitate reading
• Should be concise yet complete not crowded
• Should contain the following information:
Identification: full name, address and contact number
Appear at the beginning of the resume
Job Objective: Including or excluding a job objective
Education: names and location of schools, dates of attendance,
Diplomas or degrees conferred in chronological order
And written in reverse.
Work Experience: Previous employment,
reverse and chronological order,
listing name location of each agency, dates of employment
position, title and responsibilities.
New graduates can list their RLE
Appropriate to give reasons for leaving a position
Military Service: If the applicant has served in the armed forces
Affiliations: Membership: memberships, offices held,
and committee activities in professional organizations,
learned societies, and civic and social groups religious and
political affiliations should be included with discretion
Honors and awards: scholarships, honors, and awards may be cited
by stating the honor, the organization conferred it, the
location, and the date.
References: If references are available, the resume should state that
they will be provided on request, the application should
check the willingness of the people who might serve as
references.
Cover Letter: the resume should be accompanied by a cover letter
stating the following:
• applicant’s interest in working for the specific agency
• the special qualifications
• the interests the applicant brings
• the applicant’s availability and
• how the applicant can be reached, Tomey, (2012).
Job Interview
Interview allows the employer to determine if the applicant meets the requirements for the
position being sought, and it allows the applicant to obtain information about the agency.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE IMPORTANT.
The interviewer will quickly assess the applicant’s manners and appearance.
The applicant may be questioned about dependability, responsibility, and ability to work
with others.
The compatibility of the applicant cant’s goals with available opportunities may be
explored.
 Personal Interview

Is a face-to-face conference between two people about something. An interview between

an applicant and a prospective employer gives both a chance to assess each other.
❖ For the Employer it gives him/her a chance to assess the applicant’s
personality, alertness in answering questions, poise, command of the
spoken language.
❖ For the applicant, it gives him/her a background of the institution, its potential
as a working place, its philosophy and objectives, the working conditions,
among others.
The applicant sells himself/herself in an interview. He/She wants to convince
the prospective employer that he is the best applicant for the job. It is best
the he/she prepares himself/herself to make a good first impression.
The following pointers will be of help in preparing for an interview:
1. Make an appointment either by mail or telephone.
The Nursing Office or Personnel Division schedules time to conduct interview.
2. Be at the place at the appointment time.
It is necessary therefore that you start early from your place so that you are at the
agency ten to fifteen minutes before the time so you can relax. And appeared
unhurried.
3. Know something about the institution where you will apply so that you can answer
questions intelligently.
If possible, know the name of the person who will interview you, so you can use it.
Be prepared to answer questions that are likely to be asked.
4. Be at your best.
Female:
• be neat and tidy,
• have a simple hairdo and
 • moderate make up and wear a conservative dress reaching below the
knee
Male:
• be likewise impeccably groomed.
• Cover any tattoo
• Do not wear rings or facial piercing
• Be sure your clothes are spotlessly clean especially at the collar line
• Have a decent haircut and well shaved
• Minimize underarm sweat on your clothing
5. Be courteous and at ease. Knock before you enter
Greet the person who lets you in and the person who will interview you with
courtesy and affirm handshake.
Establish eye to eye contact.
Let your personality shine by speaking confidently and demonstrating enthusiasm
and professionalism.
Sit properly and make sure you have turned off your cellphone.
No chew gums.
6. Bring credentials such as your registration care, residence certificate, tax account
number, and the like.
If possible, bring small photographs (1X1) to enclose data form.
Bring a fountain pen or ballpen for filling out forms.
Do not borrow from the prospective employer.
7. Ask questions about the job.
It may help in deciding if you like the position.
8. Thank the interviewer for giving you some of his/ her time.
If there are other applicants to be interviewed, do not delay the interview
unnecessarily.
9. Give yourself time to think about the position.
Notify the prospective employer if you have changed your mind or have transferred
to another address.
10. If the prospective employer does not answer, you may write a follow-up letter
stating your interest in the position.

Resigning from a Job

Nurses have many reasons why they do resign from their jobs. The is to seek better
positions whether in the Philippines or abroad. Maybe inability to adjust to the work
situation, marriage, children, and/or transfer of family to other places.
The first is usually spent in adjusting to the position, second in helping them find the
field of nursing, specialty of their choice. However, they should change positions, as
much as possible, more often then once withing a year.
Some nurse feel that they are not suited to the position, and feel that the advantages
of leaving far outweigh the reasons for staying it may be wise to make a change.
Nurses may seek assistance before making any decisions. If possible, involve the
family especially if it will, in a way affect them.
If offered a good position, talk it over with the employer. It is best to observe “an open-
door policy.” Leave friendly feeling towards superiors and co-workers. A reference
from them maybe needed later or one may decide to return to the institution or agency.
Goodwill is an asset that can be banked on.
Self-analysis is necessary including the reason for transferring improvements may
have to be made so that unpleasant traits may not be carried on to the new positions,
Venzon & Venzon, (2016).

Give advance notice, a month is usually enough for those holding staff positions. In
education or administrative positions, six months is recommended. Give the employer
enough time to find a reliever.
Leave with clean record. Clearance includes non-liability from responsibilities. Do not
leave in the midst of activities in the agency. Leave the most gracious professional
manner.
Observe the following points in writing a Resignation Letter:
❖ Give the date of resignation
Good practice to complete the month from date the notice of resignation is
filled.
❖ State the reason for resigning
Although you may have had an unhappy employment experience, it is
important to be courteous because the letter is usually file and is usually
referred to when the need arises.
❖ Express gratitude for kindness and consideration given during the period of
employment.
Express regret for leaving regardless of the reasons.
❖ Attach clearance for money, work, and property responsibilities.
Never walk off from a position.
Avoid breach of contract or Abandonment of duty, or AWOL (absence without
official leave).
Professional Portfolio

The Purpose of Developing a Portfolio

◦ Portfolio are a visual way to look at all the career experiences nurses have
encountered in their lives and across the many paths they have chosen. to
celebrate the successes, to learn from challenges, and to enthusiastically
anticipate whatever comes next.

◦ Serves as a foundation for extracting whatever artifacts are required for

specifically targeted audiences (e.g., new hire or career advancement).
◦ showcase nurses' knowledge, skills, experiences, and accomplishments
related to selected goals or objectives.

Benefits of Building a Portfolio:

◦ Establish a strategic record of personal, and professional activities and

accomplishments over time.

◦ Guide critical decisions related to personal choices and volunteer activities,

goals for professionals and training, and professional opportunities

◦ Tangibly demonstrate learning and KSAs in specific areas of study and

practice.

◦ Validate and improve competence through narratives that connect reflective

practice to practice standards and advance relevant and purposeful
competencies through continual professional development

Provide more detailed exemplars for performance-based interviews,

applications for employment, scholarships, grants, bonuses, or promotions

◦ Speak to specific qualifications required for various positions when entering

nursing profession or the workforce and for transitioning into new roles
◦ Document required artifacts to illustrate portfolio-based competency
assessments for regulatory agencies, accreditations, performance appraisals
or evaluations, or certifications

◦ Explore and map the quality, safety, and expansiveness of personal mastery,
academic progress, and professional development (e.g., serving on various
 committees, projects and task force groups, and interprofessional collaborative
teams; completing preceptorships and mentorships)

◦ Guide career planning (e.g., artifacts for progressive career ladders)

◦ Reflect on personal growth and development acquired through study, work,

and applications of knowledge to meeting personal goals and gaining wisdom
(e.g., show enhanced critical thinking skills and abilities to safely engage in
complex projects or activities)

◦ Capture previous work and lived experiences, challenges met, and life lessons
learned for professional or work credits.

◦ Communicate the highest level of personal mastery and professional

preparation through multiple media (e.g., technology) and other artifacts

KEY TAKEAWAYS

◦ Portfolios are a visual way to showcase nurses' career achievements.

◦ Nurses can showcase personal mastery and professional preparation through
portfolios.
◦ Nurses at all levels can benefit from creating a professional portfolio.

• Portfolios are NOT prescriptive; they are fluid and dynamic, providing past and
present evidence (artifacts) demonstrating competence and competency related
to experience, professional practices, processes, quality, and relationships

◦ Portfolios contribute to any conversation nurses will have as they grow and
develop personally, academically, and professionally, regardless of the paths
they take. Portfolios are significant resources for nurses to showcase
competence and practice improvements, with artifacts demonstrating abilities
to narrate lived experiences and the insight gained through reflection and
reflective practice.
Submit the following:
1. Application letter with complete resume
2. Resigning letter
3. Develop your professional portfolio.
Submit thru canvas.
Follow the format stated in the module.

Marquis, Bessie & Huston, Carol Leadership roles and Management Functions in
Nursing, (2017)

Venzon, Lydia, Quality Management Towards Quality Care, (2016)

◦ Meador, Derrick. "The Purpose of Building a Portfolio Assessment."
ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/the-purpose-of-building-a-portfolio-
assessment-3194653.
◦ Building Your Portfolio: A Primer for Nurses by Diana Swihart, PhD, DMin,
APN CS, RN-BC, P-PCA, FAAN, and Solimar Figueroa, PhD, MHA, MSN,
BSN, RN, P-PCA is now available for preorder and expected to publish in May
2019.
◦ www.edglossary.org/portfolio/