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Biography

Switzerland is where I have been born and raised and where I still live with my husband and our lovely dog Ginger in the beautiful Töss valley in the canton of Zurich. For almost 30 years I have been working in various functions and positions in nursing and have been able to gain valuable experiences in many fields of work. The encounters with people from the most diverse backgrounds and all kinds of lifestyles have always shaped me and motivated me for my work. The last 15 years were primarily spent in the field of psychiatry/mental health nursing. In 2021 I became a lecturer at Bern University of Applied Sciences where I work in the Masters degree education and in research, specifically in the field of psychiatric and mental health nursing.

During my professional career I have had the chance to live in California for a while and I got my Masters degree in Nursing Sciences at Cardiff University in Wales. Before nursing became my professional passion I have been trained as a station manager working for the Swiss National Railways and later as a travel agent...

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Research

My PhD - Research Project: Creating Meaning - Understanding the Experiences of People Living with Mental Illness in Switzerland - A qualitative Study

Mental illnesses have a large impact on individuals, their families and friends and communities. People living with mental illness often face discrimination and not the least within the health care system. However, there is an ongoing shift from a paternalistic to a person-centred approach in the treatment of people living with mental illness. User involvement in the development of care has become common practice and personal recovery rather than cure is at the core of treatment. However, to further improve professional practice, there is a need to understand more about the experiences of people living with mental illness.

The aim of this research is to explore and evaluate the personal experiences of people living with mental illness in Switzerland and to identify aspects that are most relevant to this population in living with and adapting to mental illness. Therefore, the study aims to create an understanding of the adaptation process to mental illness from a patient perspective.

A constructivist and reflexive grounded theory approach was chosen for the main study. Ten participants, people living with mental illness in Switzerland, were interviewed. However, the project also includes a preliminary study, comprising a focus group with mental health professionals, that used qualitative thematic analysis.

The research project has been completed, submitted and successfully defended viva voce in November 2019.

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Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person's work contributes towards the following SDGs:

Good health and well-being

"Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages"

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Quality education

"Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all"

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Reduced inequalities

"Reduce inequality within and among countries"

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Journal Articles

Chapters

  • Hahn, S., Wolfensberger, P., 2022. Enhancing the Quality of Care Through Participatory Generation of Evidence. Advanced Practice in Mental Health Nursing A European Perspective.

Conferences

  • Wolfensberger, P., Hahn, S., van Teijlingen, E., Thomas, S., 2020. Creating Meaning - People Living with Mental Illness in Switzerland. In: Lomba, L., Parola, V., Costa, P., Feilzardo, H., Santos, M., Silva, M., Neves, M., Morgado, T., Casaleiro, T., Bernardes, R., eds. STTI 5th Biennial European Conference 28/05/2020 Virtual / Coimbra - Portugal. Book of Abstracts, 41 Coimbra, Portugal: Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra.
  • Wolfensberger, P., Thomas, S., Hahn, S., van Teijlingen, E., 2018. Experiences of people living with mental illness in Switzerland - a qualitative inquiry. In: Horatio European Congress "Safe Settings" 10/05/2018 Faroe Islands. Programme and abstract book Torshavn, Faroe Islands: FPS, Faroese Psychiatric Nurses.
  • Wolfensberger, P., 2017. Erfahrungen im Erleben und im Umgang mit der eigenen psychiatrischen Erkrankung: Die Stimme der Betroffenen! / Experiences of people living with mental illness on their adaptation process to illness: The voice of those living with a mental illness. In: Hahn, S., Gurtner, C., Burr, C., Hegedüs, A., Finklenburg, U., Needham, I., Schoppmann, S., Schulz, M., Stefan, H., eds. 14. Dreiländerkongress Pflege in der Psychiatrie 05/10/2017 Bern, Switzerland. Bern, Wien: Verlag Berner Fachhochschule, Fachbereich Gesundheit, Forschung & Entwicklung / Dienstleistung Pflege.
  • Hegedüs, A., Richter, D., Wolfensberger, P., Aquilante, S., 2016. Interventionsstudien als Link zwischen Forschung und Praxis - wie geht das? / Intervention studies linking research and practice - how does it work? In: Schulz, M., Schoppmann, S., Hegedüs, A., Gurtner, C., Stefan, H., Finklenburg, U., Needham, I., Hahn, S., eds. 13. Dreiländerkongress Pflege in der Psychiatrie 22/09/2016 Bielefeld, Germany. Vorträge, Workshops und Posterpräsentationen Dreiländerkongress Pflege in der Psychiatrie Bern, Switzerland: Verlag Berner Fachhochschule, Fachbereich Gesundheit, Forschung & Entwicklung / Dienstleistung Pflege.
  • Hegedüs, A., Richter, D., Wolfensberger, P., Aquilante, S., 2016. Interventionsstudien als Link zwischen Forschung und Praxis - wie geht das? / Intervention studies linking research and practice - how does it work? In: Schulz, M., Schoppmann, S., Hegedüs, A., Gurtner, C., Stefan, H., Finklenburg, U., Needham, I., Hahn, S., eds. 13. Dreiländerkongress Pflege in der Psychiatrie 22/09/2016 Bielefeld, Germany. Vorträge, Workshops und Posterpräsentationen Dreiländerkongress Pflege in der Psychiatrie Bern, Switzerland: Verlag Berner Fachhochschule, Fachbereich Gesundheit, Forschung & Entwicklung / Dienstleistung Pflege.
  • Wolfensberger, P., 2016. Uncertainty in illness and personal recovery - experiences of people living with mental illness. In: STTI European Conference 06/06/2016 Utrecht, Netherlands.
  • Stadtmann, M., Mikic, I., Leuter, U., Wolfensberger, P., 2015. Pflegerische Fallführung in der ambulanten psychiatrischen Versorgung – ein Zukunftsmodell? Erfahrungen und Erkenntnisse aus Praxis und Forschung im Diskurs / Nurse lead case management in ambulant mental health care - a model of the future? Experiences and findings of research and practice on discourse. In: Schoppmann, S., Stefan, H., Hegedüs, A., Finklenburg, U., Needham, I., Schulz, M., Gurtner, C., Hahn, S., eds. 12. Dreiländerkongress Pflege in der Psychiatrie 24/09/2015 Wien, Austria. , 220-224 Bern, Switzerland: Verlag Berner Fachhochschule, Fachbereich Gesundheit.
  • Stadtmann, M., Mikic, I., Leuter, U., Wolfensberger, P., 2015. Pflegerische Fallführung in der ambulanten psychiatrischen Versorgung – ein Zukunftsmodell? Erfahrungen und Erkenntnisse aus Praxis und Forschung im Diskurs / Nurse lead case management in ambulant mental health care - a model of the future? Experiences and findings of research and practice on discourse. In: Schoppmann, S., Stefan, H., Hegedüs, A., Finklenburg, U., Needham, I., Schulz, M., Gurtner, C., Hahn, S., eds. 12. Dreiländerkongress Pflege in der Psychiatrie 24/09/2015 Wien, Austria. , 220-224 Bern, Switzerland: Verlag Berner Fachhochschule, Fachbereich Gesundheit.
  • Minder, J., Wolfensberger, P., 2015. Betagte Psychosepatienten in Alters- und Pflegeheimen / Elderly Psychosis Patients in Elderly- and Nursing Homes. In: Integrierte Psychiatrie im Diskurs 19/03/2015 Winterthur, Switzerland. Integrierte Psychiatrie im Diskurs, 14 Integrierte Psychiatrie Winterthur - Zürcher Unterland.
  • Wolfensberger, P., Hahn, S., Richter, D., Schwarze, T., Zuaboni, G., 2014. Zielorientierte psychiatrische Pflege (ORIENT) - Ergebnisse einer Pilotinterventionsstudie - Qualitative Ergebnisse. In: DGPPN Kongress 2014 26/11/2014 Berlin, Germany. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik und Nervenheilkunde.
  • Wolfensberger, P., 2014. Uncertainty in illness and personal recovery. In: Horatio - European Festival of Psychiatric Nursing 06/11/2014 St. Julians, Malta.
  • Wolfensberger, P., Schwarze, T., Zuaboni, G., Hahn, S., Richter, D., 2014. Zielorientierte psychiatrische Pflege (ORIENT) – Qualitative Ergebnisse. In: Hahn, S., Hegedüs, A., Finklenburg, U., Needham, I., Stefan, H., Schulz, M., Schoppmann, S., eds. 11. Dreiländerkongress Pflege in der Psychiatrie 09/10/2014 Bern. Bern, Switzerland: Verlag Berner Fachhochschule.
  • Wolfensberger, P., 2013. Negotiating uncertainty: an aspect of personal recovery in people living with mental illness - a workshop. In: Horatio - European Psychiatric Nursing Conference 31/10/2013 Istanbul, Turkey.
  • Wolfensberger, P., Hahn, S., Richter, D., Schwarze, T., Zuaboni, G., 2013. Recovery oriented mental health nursing: a pilot Intervention study. In: Recovery-Focused Conference: Engagment in Life: Promoting Wellbeing and Mental Health 06/09/2013 Bournemouth, UK.
  • Wolfensberger, P., Hahn, S., Richter, D., Schwarze, T., Zuaboni, G., 2013. Recovery oriented mental health nursing: a pilot Intervention study. In: Recovery-Focused Conference: Engagment in Life: Promoting Wellbeing and Mental Health 06/09/2013 Bournemouth, UK.
  • Schäfli, N., Ilic, S., Lehmann, J., Wolfensberger, P., 2012. MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO – wie können somatische Themen in der psychiatrischen Pflege integriert werden? In: Hahn, S., Stefan, H., Abderhalden, C., Needham, I., Schulz, M., Hegedüs, A., Finklenburg, U., Schoppmann, S., eds. 9. Dreiländerkongress Pflege in der Psychiatrie 04/10/2012 Vienna, Austria. Bern, Switzerland: Verlag Forschung & Entwicklung Pflege, UPD.
  • Wolfensberger, P., 2012. Homophobie in der Pflege – latent, existent, verkannt. In: Hahn, S., Stefan, H., Abderhalden, C., Needham, I., Hegedüs, A., Finklenburg, U., Schoppmann, S., eds. 9. Dreiländerkongress Pflege in der Psychiatrie 04/10/2012 Vienna, Austria. Bern, Switzerland: Verlag Forschung & Entwicklung Pflege, UPD.
  • Wolfensberger, P., Aust, W., Bialas, M., Bourke-Gerber, B., Bregenzer, U., Gabriel-Andersen, L., Lanthemann, H., Prassek, J., 2011. Pflegeentwicklung praxisnah. In: Hahn, S., Abderhalden, C., Needham, I., Stefan, H., Schulz, M., Schoppmann, S., eds. 8. Dreiländerkongress Pflege in der Psychiatrie 06/10/2011 Bern, Switzerland. Bern, Switzerland: Verlag Forschung & Entwicklung Pflege, UPD.

Reports

  • Wolfensberger, P., 2009. Promotion of health with the elderly population living at home in relation to prevention of depression. Cardiff University: Cardiff University, School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies.
  • Wolfensberger, P., 2008. NANDA Nursing Diagnoses in Contemporary Mental Health Nursing Practice - Chance or Thread?. Cardiff University: Cardiff University, School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies.
  • Wolfensberger, P., 2008. From pattern appraisal to unitary appreciative inquiry - a critical reflection on the development of the unitary appreciative inquiry method. Cardiff University: Cardiff University, School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies.
  • Wolfensberger, P., 2008. The concept of despair in nursing practice - a research critique. Cardiff University: Cardiff University, School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies.

Theses

Presentations

External Responsibilities

Journal Reviewing/Refereeing

  • Journal für Qualitative Forschung in Pflege- und Gesundheitswissenschaft, Anonymous peer review, 01 Mar 2014

Attended Training

  • International Summer School 2013 - Zurich University of Applied Sciences - School of Health Professions, Institute of Nursing, 26 Aug 2013, 2 ECTS (equivalent to a total of 60 hours of course work)

Qualifications

  • PhD in Health & Social Sciences, Mental Health Nursing (Bournemouth University, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, 2020)
  • MSc in Nursing Studies (Cardiff University, 2012)

Memberships

Networks

  • Swiss Network of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing Development and Research (npfp): http://pflegeforschung-psy.ch
The data on this page was last updated at 05:00 on February 18, 2026.