Dr. Vanessa Abacan, DNP, APRN-CNS, ACCNS-P, RNC-MNN, EBP-C

I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist (APRN) and trauma‑informed recovery strategist dedicated to transforming the culture of nursing. After experiencing firsthand how systems fail the very nurses who sustain them, I built Heartfold Healing™ to create the evidence‑based recovery solutions I wish had existed for me.

My work combines clinical expertise, validated psychometric tools, and organizational strategy to address the harm caused by bullying, moral injury, and burnout. I help nurses heal, rebuild their professional identity, and return to practice with renewed purpose while supporting healthcare organizations to improve retention and culture.

With a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University and years of bedside and leadership experience, I bring both lived insight and advanced practice expertise to every project. Heartfold Healing™ is the first CNS‑developed recovery system designed for nurses harmed by systemic failures, offering tools that go beyond resilience training to achieve true healing and culture change.

I partner with hospitals, professional organizations, and leadership teams who are ready to prioritize nurse wellbeing, accountability, and ethical repair. Together, we can create workplaces where nurses feel safe, valued, and able to thrive.

My mission is simple: real healing for nurses, not resilience training.