Nikki Klaessen

Nikki Klaessen serves as a Lecturer-Researcher at Avans University of Applied Sciences within the Centre of Expertise Perspective in Health's Involved Science research group, focusing on nursing science and community health interventions.

She earned a Master's degree in Clinical Health Sciences (Nursing Science specialization) from Utrecht University and transitioned from clinical nursing practice in mental health, community, and geriatric care to academia in 2015.

Her research centers on qualitative methodologies exploring clinical reasoning and lifestyle interventions, notably investigating psychiatric nurses' attitudes toward somatic screening for severe mental illness patients and developing COVID-19 care protocols. Current projects employ participatory action research to strengthen self-reliance and cohesion in caring communities, with future work targeting elderly loneliness prevention.

Nikki actively contributes to research design and implementation as a junior researcher, emphasizing community-based participatory approaches and the principle that "every person has something meaningful to contribute."