dr. N. (Nienke) Bleijenberg
dr. N. (Nienke) Bleijenberg

- Julius Center, dept. General Practice & Nursing Science
Research Programs
Biography
Biography
Nienke Bleijenberg, RN, PhD, is an assistant professor Nursing Science at the University Medical Center Utrecht and a professor (In Dutch: Lector) at the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, the Netherlands. She worked for many years as a district 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. Since 2014 she works one-day a week at Leidsche Rijn Julius Health Care Centers to implement the care program and enhance clinical practice. Since 2012 she is involved as a teacher and coordinator at the master Clinical Health Sciences, Nursing Science (UU). Since 2014 she is a yearly visiting scholar at University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Division of Geriatrics, working with Dr Kenneth Covinsky and Dr Alexander Smith.
Her current research program focuses on the preservation of daily functioning, prevention of acute events, and improving quality of care and patient outcomes of frail older people and those with multimorbidity living at home. Futhermore, she is focusing on the role, impact and patient outcomes of district nursing care. Nienke is a supervisor of 5 PhD students, receveid 11 grants (2.1M) She has published over 30 international peer reviewed publications, 15 practice publications and contributed to three book publications. 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. She is currently chair of the research group Care for Older people at the University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, the Netherlands
Side Activities
- Visiting scholar University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Divison of Geriatrics and School of Nursing
- Member of the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), Honor Society of Nursing, Rho Chi Chapter at large.
- Member European Academy of Nursing Science (EANS).
- Counselor for the Rho Chi Chapter at large, Nursing Science Utrecht and University Medical Center Utrecht.
- Member European REFLECTION NETWORK for development and evaluation of complex interventions.
Fellowship and Awards
- 2017: Fellow European Academy of Nursing Science (EANS)
- 2016-2018: Fellow in Leadership in Mentoring Nursing Research (LMNR) programme ZonMw: https://www.zonmw.nl/nl/actueel/nieuws/detail/item/als-zorgonderzoeker-moet-je-de-praktijk-heel-goed-kennen/ 2018: Viper presentation award at International Community Care Health Nursing Research (ICCHNR) Conference, Wales.
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Recognition: Proactive Care Program 'Om U' has been listed in top 10 most promising programs in the Common Wealth Fund report: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2017/sep/designing-high-performing-health-care-system-patients-complex
Research Output (45)
Molenaar Esther A.L.M., Barten Di Janne Ja, de Hoop Anne M.S., Bleijenberg Nienke, de Wit Niek J., Veenhof Cindy Dec 2022, In: BMC Geriatrics. 22
Veldhuizen Jessica D., Schuurmans Marieke J., Mikkers Misja C., Bleijenberg Nienke Nov 2022, In: Health and Social Care in the Community. 30 , p. e5624-e5636
Huizenga Jacoba, Scheffelaar Aukelien, Fruijtier Agnetha, Wilken Jean Pierre, Bleijenberg Nienke, Van Regenmortel Tine Sep 2022, In: International journal of environmental research and public health. 19
Kok Selma, de Man-van Ginkel Janneke M., Verstraten Carolien, Resnick Barbara, Metzelthin Silke F., Bleijenberg Nienke, Schoonhoven Lisette Nov 2021, In: International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances. 3 , p. 1-15
Smit Linda C., De Wit Niek J., Nieuwenhuizen Meggie L., Schuurmans Marieke J., Bleijenberg Nienke 19 Oct 2021, In: BMC Geriatrics. 21 , p. 1-12
Dijkstra Nienke E, Vervloet Marcia, Sino Carolien G M, Heerdink Eibert R, Nelissen-Vrancken Marjorie, Bleijenberg Nienke, de Bruin Marijn, Schoonhoven Lisette 1 Sep 2021, In: Patient Preference and Adherence. 15 , p. 1929-1940 12 p.
van Houwelingen Thijs, Ettema Roelof G.A., Bleijenberg Nienke, van Os-Medendorp Harmieke, Kort Helianthe S.M., ten Cate Olle 1 Feb 2021, In: Nurse Education in Practice. 51
Rieckert Anja, Schuit Ewoud, Bleijenberg Nienke, Ten Cate Debbie, De Lange Wendela, De Man-Van Ginkel Janneke M., Mathijssen Elke, Smit Linda C., Stalpers Dewi, Schoonhoven Lisette, Veldhuizen Jessica D., Trappenburg Jaap C.A. 6 Jan 2021, In: BMJ Open. 11 , p. 1-13
Smit Linda C., Dikken Jeroen, Moolenaar Nienke M., Schuurmans Marieke J., de Wit Niek J., Bleijenberg Nienke 6 Jan 2021, In: Pilot and feasibility studies. 7 , p. 1-12
Everaars B., Jerković-Ćosić K., Bleijenberg N., de Wit N. J., van der Heijden G. J.M.G. Jan 2021, In: The Journal of frailty & aging. 10 , p. 56-62 7 p.