Biography

Nienke Bleijenberg, RN, PhD, is an associate professor Nursing Science at the University Medical Center Utrecht and a professor (In Dutch: Lector) at the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Her research programme is focusing early detection of functional decline and prevention of acute events such as an emergency department vist. By developing and evaluating complex interventions she aims to improve independence of older adults living at home. 

She worked for many years as a home care nurse in Utrecht with mostly geriatric patients living at home with high complex care needs. During her work it became apparent to her that scientific knowledge is needed in order to change and improve the care for older people and the gap between knowledge and practice. During her PhD study she developed a multicomponent proactive primary care program to enhance daily functioning of multimorbid, frail older people. In an ambitious randomized controlled trial, 52 primary care centers, over 3000 patients and more than 350 caregivers participated. Moreover, Dr. Bleijenberg developed a training program for the nurses in collaboration with the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht. During her work as a PhD student Nienke completed the Post Graduate Master Epidemiology at Utrecht University. Between 2014-2018 she combined clinical work with research and teaching. Since 2012 she is involved as a teacher and coordinator at the master Clinical Health Sciences, Nursing Science (UU). Between 2014-2018 she was a yearly visiting scholar at University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Division of Geriatrics, working with Dr Covinsky and Dr Smith.

Her knowledge extends to nursing, geriatrics in primary care, home care, and epidemiology

Nienke is a member of the National Association of Nurses, and a fellow of the European Association of Nursing Scientists (EANS). She is currently chair of the research group Care for Older people at the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, the Netherlands