Marja Legius has been a senior lecturer at Fontys University of Professional Education (Eindhoven, The Netherlands), Nursing faculty since 1996. She has also been member of the Knowledge Center “Evaluation and Implementation of Evidence Based Practice” for the last two years. In the early ‘80s she graduated as an pediatric nurse, and is still passionate about children and pediatric nursing. She is an active advisory board member of the National Pediatric Nursing Association, and National Nursing Association in The Netherlands.

After several studies in education, pediatrics and nursing science she now enjoys working with students (just grown up children really). Although, most of her activities are more project based, she continue to develop new material for students and teachers. She has recently completed a project entitled “Care in dialogue”, about  patient centered care.

As a member of the Knowledge Center she co-facilitates the PD and EBP courses run within the faculty. Working with colleges and participants in such a creative way gives great job satisfaction. The courses have been held in English and Dutch, so she hopes that language will pose no barrier to self-expression.

In January 2005 she started the first phase of her PhD study. The subject matter being ‘facilitation’ and in particular the ‘Critical Companionship model’. The research methodology will be emancipatory action research in combination with the fourth generation evaluation methodology. She is currently facilitating a nurse implementing a guideline, and in September will start at a project within nursing home aiming to become an institution of excellent patient-centered care. Of course, the principles of Practice Development will play a major role in the work to be done.       

Hobbies include camping, sailing, and skiing with her husband and (2) children; as well as reading, creative sculpture or simply daydreaming. Unfortunately a day only has 24 hours!