WGU D226 BSNU Capstone Portfolio | Complete
E-Portfolio Project | Passed & Verified Submission
| 2026/27 Updates | 100% correct
D226 E-Portfolio
Name: Jac Elizabeth Nagle
BSNU Capstone
1
,Introduction
Note: The Leadership Skills and Mindset Reflection that you included in the D218 portfolio is not
evaluated for this task. It is optional to include it in your final portfolio.
A1a. Professional Mission Statement
My professional mission is to continue growing as a competent and confident nurse by
strengthening my clinical skills, improving my assessment abilities, and delivering safe, high-quality
patient care. I aim to become more comfortable and skilled in working with pediatric patients while
building strong communication and critical-thinking skills in the emergency department setting. Over
time, I aspire to take on a leadership role as an ED charge nurse, where I can support my team and help
ensure efficient, patient-centered care. While pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing is a possibility in
the future, my current focus is on gaining experience, building confidence, and becoming a well-
rounded, reliable nurse.
A1b. Mission Statement Reflection
This mission statement will help guide my nursing career by keeping me focused on steady, realistic
growth rather than feeling pressured to advance too quickly. For example, when I feel unsure about
caring for pediatric patients, it will remind me to seek out learning opportunities, ask questions, and
gradually build confidence instead of avoiding those situations. It will also encourage me to prioritize
improving my assessment skills by being more intentional during patient evaluations and learning from
experienced nurses.
As I gain experience, this mission will guide me to step into informal leadership roles, such as helping
newer nurses or assisting during busy shifts, which will prepare me for becoming an ED charge nurse.
For instance, volunteering to coordinate patient flow during a hectic shift or supporting team
communication can help build leadership skills early on.
Additionally, the mission helps me stay grounded in my long-term goals without feeling rushed to
pursue graduate school before I am ready. It allows me to focus on becoming clinically strong first,
knowing that further education can come later when it aligns with my goals. Overall, this mission
provides direction, keeps me motivated, and helps me make intentional decisions that support both my
current growth and future leadership aspirations.
A2a. Learner & Healthcare Professional
My portfolio reflects my growth as both a learner and a healthcare professional by demonstrating
improvement in research, critical thinking, and professional accountability. Throughout the program, I
have strengthened skills such as academic writing, APA formatting, and, most importantly, the ability to
locate, evaluate, and apply credible research to support clinical decision-making. One example is my
D226 Comprehensive Healthcare Change Proposal, where I analyzed evidence related to emergency
department flow and developed a proposal for a Fast Track (vertical flow) treatment area. This paper
demonstrates my growth in researching peer-reviewed sources, interpreting data, and applying
evidence to create realistic, system-level improvements in patient care.
As a healthcare professional, my portfolio also reflects attributes emphasized in the WGU program,
including patient-centered care, accountability, ethical practice, and commitment to lifelong learning.
2
,My Nephrology Nursing Certificate is a strong example of this. The certification highlights both my
specialized knowledge and my dedication to providing holistic, informed care to a specific patient
population. It also reflects qualities such as compassion, cultural awareness, and clinical competence,
especially given my nearly 10 years of experience in nephrology. Together, these artifacts demonstrate
that I am a well-rounded nurse who values evidence-based practice, continuous learning, and delivering
high-quality, patient-centered care.
A2b. Professional Strengths
My portfolio reflects my professional strengths in leadership and teamwork through assignments that
required collaboration, communication, and initiative. One example is my BSNU Capstone – D226, Task
#1: Comprehensive Healthcare Change Proposal. In this paper, I demonstrated leadership by identifying
a system-level issue in the emergency department, analyzing data, and proposing a Fast Track solution
to improve patient flow and outcomes. I incorporated stakeholder involvement and interdisciplinary
collaboration, showing my ability to lead change while working within a team-based environment.
Another example is my Organizational Systems and Healthcare Transformation – D221, Task #1: Practice
Improvement Plan. This assignment highlighted my teamwork skills by requiring me to address patient
safety issues and develop solutions that involved collaboration with nurses, leadership, pharmacy, and
IT. It emphasized the importance of shared decision-making and communication across disciplines to
improve outcomes. Together, these artifacts demonstrate my ability to lead initiatives, collaborate
effectively with others, and contribute to improving patient care within a team-based healthcare setting.
A2c. Challenges
One challenge I faced during the program was balancing work, school, and my social life. There were
times when my schedule felt overwhelming, especially while working long shifts and still needing to
complete assignments or study. For example, after consecutive workdays, it was difficult to stay focused
on schoolwork, and I often had to sacrifice personal time to keep up.
Another challenge was staying motivated, especially when I wasn’t always interested in the material.
There were courses or topics that felt less relevant to my goals, which made it harder to stay engaged.
For instance, I found myself procrastinating more in those classes and struggling to stay focused on
assignments.
A2ci. Overcoming Challenges
I overcame the challenge of balancing work, school, and my social life by being more intentional with my
time and clearly prioritizing. During weeks when I worked multiple shifts, I dedicated specific blocks of
time to studying and assignments, even if it meant limiting social activities. This structure helped me
stay on track and reduce some stress. Other times I would include limited people in my study time to
bring some social relief and also did not need my entertainment when I had to focus.
To address the lack of motivation with certain material, I focused on consistency rather than interest.
When I felt myself procrastinating, I broke assignments into smaller, manageable tasks and set short-
term goals to stay productive. I also kept reminding myself of the bigger goal of completing the program
and growing as a nurse, which helped me stay committed even when the material was not engaging. I
often think of a quote a friend of mine told me when I was in my nursing program. She would say,
3
, “Nursing school is like standing in a line for a free bagel; the line is long, but the bagel is worth it”. She
was not wrong, the bagel is always worth it.
A2d. Professional Growth
One area of growth has been my ability to analyze and interpret data for evidence-based practice. For
example, I learned how to evaluate research studies critically, determine which sources are reliable, and
apply findings appropriately to patient care decisions. This has increased my confidence in making
clinical decisions supported by current evidence.
I have also become more aware of the importance of cultural sensitivity in healthcare. Through
coursework and clinical experiences, I have recognized how patients’ backgrounds, beliefs, and values
can influence their health decisions and interactions with healthcare providers. I pay closer attention to
cultural factors when planning care and communicating with patients.
Ethically Competent Practice
Professional Definition / Competency 8: Ethically Competent Practice: The learner formulates and
cultivates a professional identity that includes accountability, collaborative disposition, and ethical
comportment reflective of the profession's characteristics, norms, and values.
B1. The program supported my development of ethically competent practice by strengthening my
accountability, collaboration, and professional decision-making through several courses. For example,
Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare – D235 emphasized communication,
teamwork, and the nurse’s role within an interdisciplinary team. Through case-based assignments, I
learned how effective communication impacts patient safety and outcomes, reinforcing my
responsibility to collaborate and speak up when needed.
Courses like Intrapersonal Leadership and Professional Growth – D218 and Scholarship in Nursing
Practice – D219 helped develop my professional identity by focusing on self-awareness, ethical decision-
making, and evidence-based practice. These courses strengthened my understanding of accountability
by emphasizing that nurses are responsible for continuous learning and for applying current evidence to
patient care.
My ability to evaluate and apply evidence was developed further in Applied Healthcare Statistics – C784
and Information Technology in Nursing Practice – D220, where I learned how to interpret data, assess
research quality, and use technology to support safe, informed clinical decisions. This directly supports
ethical practice by ensuring care is based on reliable evidence.
Collaboration and systems-level thinking were grown in courses like Organizational Systems and
Healthcare Transformation – D221 and Healthcare Policy and Economics – D223. These classes
highlighted how healthcare systems, policies, and team dynamics influence patient care, which helped
me understand the broader impact of nursing decisions and the importance of working effectively
within a team.
I apply these concepts in my practice by being more accountable for my clinical decisions, making sure
they are evidence-based, and communicating more effectively with the healthcare team. For example, I
am more intentional about clarifying orders, advocating for patients, and collaborating with colleagues
to ensure safe and ethical care.
4
E-Portfolio Project | Passed & Verified Submission
| 2026/27 Updates | 100% correct
D226 E-Portfolio
Name: Jac Elizabeth Nagle
BSNU Capstone
1
,Introduction
Note: The Leadership Skills and Mindset Reflection that you included in the D218 portfolio is not
evaluated for this task. It is optional to include it in your final portfolio.
A1a. Professional Mission Statement
My professional mission is to continue growing as a competent and confident nurse by
strengthening my clinical skills, improving my assessment abilities, and delivering safe, high-quality
patient care. I aim to become more comfortable and skilled in working with pediatric patients while
building strong communication and critical-thinking skills in the emergency department setting. Over
time, I aspire to take on a leadership role as an ED charge nurse, where I can support my team and help
ensure efficient, patient-centered care. While pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing is a possibility in
the future, my current focus is on gaining experience, building confidence, and becoming a well-
rounded, reliable nurse.
A1b. Mission Statement Reflection
This mission statement will help guide my nursing career by keeping me focused on steady, realistic
growth rather than feeling pressured to advance too quickly. For example, when I feel unsure about
caring for pediatric patients, it will remind me to seek out learning opportunities, ask questions, and
gradually build confidence instead of avoiding those situations. It will also encourage me to prioritize
improving my assessment skills by being more intentional during patient evaluations and learning from
experienced nurses.
As I gain experience, this mission will guide me to step into informal leadership roles, such as helping
newer nurses or assisting during busy shifts, which will prepare me for becoming an ED charge nurse.
For instance, volunteering to coordinate patient flow during a hectic shift or supporting team
communication can help build leadership skills early on.
Additionally, the mission helps me stay grounded in my long-term goals without feeling rushed to
pursue graduate school before I am ready. It allows me to focus on becoming clinically strong first,
knowing that further education can come later when it aligns with my goals. Overall, this mission
provides direction, keeps me motivated, and helps me make intentional decisions that support both my
current growth and future leadership aspirations.
A2a. Learner & Healthcare Professional
My portfolio reflects my growth as both a learner and a healthcare professional by demonstrating
improvement in research, critical thinking, and professional accountability. Throughout the program, I
have strengthened skills such as academic writing, APA formatting, and, most importantly, the ability to
locate, evaluate, and apply credible research to support clinical decision-making. One example is my
D226 Comprehensive Healthcare Change Proposal, where I analyzed evidence related to emergency
department flow and developed a proposal for a Fast Track (vertical flow) treatment area. This paper
demonstrates my growth in researching peer-reviewed sources, interpreting data, and applying
evidence to create realistic, system-level improvements in patient care.
As a healthcare professional, my portfolio also reflects attributes emphasized in the WGU program,
including patient-centered care, accountability, ethical practice, and commitment to lifelong learning.
2
,My Nephrology Nursing Certificate is a strong example of this. The certification highlights both my
specialized knowledge and my dedication to providing holistic, informed care to a specific patient
population. It also reflects qualities such as compassion, cultural awareness, and clinical competence,
especially given my nearly 10 years of experience in nephrology. Together, these artifacts demonstrate
that I am a well-rounded nurse who values evidence-based practice, continuous learning, and delivering
high-quality, patient-centered care.
A2b. Professional Strengths
My portfolio reflects my professional strengths in leadership and teamwork through assignments that
required collaboration, communication, and initiative. One example is my BSNU Capstone – D226, Task
#1: Comprehensive Healthcare Change Proposal. In this paper, I demonstrated leadership by identifying
a system-level issue in the emergency department, analyzing data, and proposing a Fast Track solution
to improve patient flow and outcomes. I incorporated stakeholder involvement and interdisciplinary
collaboration, showing my ability to lead change while working within a team-based environment.
Another example is my Organizational Systems and Healthcare Transformation – D221, Task #1: Practice
Improvement Plan. This assignment highlighted my teamwork skills by requiring me to address patient
safety issues and develop solutions that involved collaboration with nurses, leadership, pharmacy, and
IT. It emphasized the importance of shared decision-making and communication across disciplines to
improve outcomes. Together, these artifacts demonstrate my ability to lead initiatives, collaborate
effectively with others, and contribute to improving patient care within a team-based healthcare setting.
A2c. Challenges
One challenge I faced during the program was balancing work, school, and my social life. There were
times when my schedule felt overwhelming, especially while working long shifts and still needing to
complete assignments or study. For example, after consecutive workdays, it was difficult to stay focused
on schoolwork, and I often had to sacrifice personal time to keep up.
Another challenge was staying motivated, especially when I wasn’t always interested in the material.
There were courses or topics that felt less relevant to my goals, which made it harder to stay engaged.
For instance, I found myself procrastinating more in those classes and struggling to stay focused on
assignments.
A2ci. Overcoming Challenges
I overcame the challenge of balancing work, school, and my social life by being more intentional with my
time and clearly prioritizing. During weeks when I worked multiple shifts, I dedicated specific blocks of
time to studying and assignments, even if it meant limiting social activities. This structure helped me
stay on track and reduce some stress. Other times I would include limited people in my study time to
bring some social relief and also did not need my entertainment when I had to focus.
To address the lack of motivation with certain material, I focused on consistency rather than interest.
When I felt myself procrastinating, I broke assignments into smaller, manageable tasks and set short-
term goals to stay productive. I also kept reminding myself of the bigger goal of completing the program
and growing as a nurse, which helped me stay committed even when the material was not engaging. I
often think of a quote a friend of mine told me when I was in my nursing program. She would say,
3
, “Nursing school is like standing in a line for a free bagel; the line is long, but the bagel is worth it”. She
was not wrong, the bagel is always worth it.
A2d. Professional Growth
One area of growth has been my ability to analyze and interpret data for evidence-based practice. For
example, I learned how to evaluate research studies critically, determine which sources are reliable, and
apply findings appropriately to patient care decisions. This has increased my confidence in making
clinical decisions supported by current evidence.
I have also become more aware of the importance of cultural sensitivity in healthcare. Through
coursework and clinical experiences, I have recognized how patients’ backgrounds, beliefs, and values
can influence their health decisions and interactions with healthcare providers. I pay closer attention to
cultural factors when planning care and communicating with patients.
Ethically Competent Practice
Professional Definition / Competency 8: Ethically Competent Practice: The learner formulates and
cultivates a professional identity that includes accountability, collaborative disposition, and ethical
comportment reflective of the profession's characteristics, norms, and values.
B1. The program supported my development of ethically competent practice by strengthening my
accountability, collaboration, and professional decision-making through several courses. For example,
Interprofessional Communication and Leadership in Healthcare – D235 emphasized communication,
teamwork, and the nurse’s role within an interdisciplinary team. Through case-based assignments, I
learned how effective communication impacts patient safety and outcomes, reinforcing my
responsibility to collaborate and speak up when needed.
Courses like Intrapersonal Leadership and Professional Growth – D218 and Scholarship in Nursing
Practice – D219 helped develop my professional identity by focusing on self-awareness, ethical decision-
making, and evidence-based practice. These courses strengthened my understanding of accountability
by emphasizing that nurses are responsible for continuous learning and for applying current evidence to
patient care.
My ability to evaluate and apply evidence was developed further in Applied Healthcare Statistics – C784
and Information Technology in Nursing Practice – D220, where I learned how to interpret data, assess
research quality, and use technology to support safe, informed clinical decisions. This directly supports
ethical practice by ensuring care is based on reliable evidence.
Collaboration and systems-level thinking were grown in courses like Organizational Systems and
Healthcare Transformation – D221 and Healthcare Policy and Economics – D223. These classes
highlighted how healthcare systems, policies, and team dynamics influence patient care, which helped
me understand the broader impact of nursing decisions and the importance of working effectively
within a team.
I apply these concepts in my practice by being more accountable for my clinical decisions, making sure
they are evidence-based, and communicating more effectively with the healthcare team. For example, I
am more intentional about clarifying orders, advocating for patients, and collaborating with colleagues
to ensure safe and ethical care.
4
