dr. Isabel Vlerick (PhD)

My research focuses on professional development, mentoring and the role integration of expert nurses, with particular attention to interprofessional collaboration, leadership and organisational support. My clinical background in oncology and previous experience as an oncology nurse navigator inform my interest in how nurses can be supported to develop their roles and contribute their expertise within interprofessional teams. 
During my PhD in Health Sciences at Ghent University (2023–2026), I developed and evaluated a mentoring programme for oncology nurse navigators (verpleegkundig consulenten) and advanced practice nurses (verpleegkundig specialisten) in oncology and haematology. By using ‘Educational Design Research’ as the overarching research and development approach, I brought together systematic literature reviewing, co-design and a mixed-methods evaluation. The programme was developed in collaboration with academic and clinical partners and evaluated in a proof-of-concept study. It aimed to support nurses’ role transition and integration within existing interprofessional teams. The programme addressed professional development, role clarification, collaboration and leadership. The evaluation examined how learning was translated into practice and how team and organisational conditions supported or constrained this process. This work strengthened my interest in approaches that combine individual professional development with support from teams, leaders and organisations. 
Alongside my doctoral research, I gained experience in research project coordination, multidisciplinary collaboration, qualitative research, systematic reviews, Delphi studies, content validation and the exploration of intervention implementation and preparing/writing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.
 

• 2010: Bachelor in Nursing – HoGent University of Applied Sciences and Arts
• 2012: Postgraduate oncology nursing – HoGent University of Applied Sciences and Arts
• 2022: Master of Science in Nursing and Midwifery – Ghent University
• 2026: PhD in Health Sciences (Title: Mentoring during role transition and role integration of expert nurses in oncology: Development and evaluation of a proof-of-concept mentoring programme) – Ghent University

Special interest in oncology nursing, psychosocial aspects in oncology care, education, mentorship, advanced practice in nursing, expert nursing roles.

Memberships: 

• Executive board member ‘VVRO’ (Flemish association of oncology and radiotherapy nurses) + chair of VOOK working group (cancer education in nursing)
• Co-Vice-Chair Recognition Committee on Specialist professional titles and qualifications in nursing (oncology) (Department of Care, Flanders, Belgium)
• Member ‘BVVS’ (Belgian society of clinical nurse specialists) 
• Member ‘European Oncology Nursing Society’   
• Member of ‘Federal Council for Nursing’ (Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Belgium)
• Member of Working Group on Scientific Research in Psychosocial Oncology (Cédric Hèle Institute)
   

• (2026). Development and content validation of a Belgian patient decision aid for surgical decision-making in rectal cancer: a double-modified Delphi study. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 152356.
• (2025) ‘Basisboek oncologie voor verpleegkundigen’. ISBN 978-94-647-0447-1.
• (2024). Characteristics and effectiveness of mentoring programmes for specialized and advanced practice nurses: A systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 80, 2690–2714.
• (2023). Dynamics and processes influencing role integration of advanced practice nurses and nurse navigators in oncology teams. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 62, 102257. 
• (2021). Experiences and needs of patients with rectal cancer confronted with bowel problems after stoma reversal: a systematic review and thematic-synthesis. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 54.
   

• Lab address: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery -  UGent; entrance 42, 5th floor; Corneel Heymanslaan 10; 9000 Gent
• LinkedIn
• ORCID
• Isabel Vlerick is involved in the University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery (UGent) : this centre has a mission of teaching, research and scientific and social service of nursing, mental health nursing and midwifery in Flanders, nationally and internationally
• Isabel Vlerick is interested to receive invitations for presentations or talks