Academic Journal
FORTIFY: A nurse practitioner leadership framework for embedding organizational wellness as infrastructure.
| Title: | FORTIFY: A nurse practitioner leadership framework for embedding organizational wellness as infrastructure. |
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| Authors: | Cooper KC; Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Wellness Strategist with cross-sector experience in public service, education, and organizational wellness, Wellness Takes Fortitude PLLC, Washington, DC. |
| Source: | Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners [J Am Assoc Nurse Pract] 2026 Jul 01; Vol. 38 (7), pp. 566-570. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jul 01. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101600770 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2327-6924 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 23276886 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Am Assoc Nurse Pract Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: 2018- : Netherlands : Wolters Kluwer Original Publication: Malden : Wiley |
| MeSH Terms: | Nurse Practitioners*/psychology , Nurse Practitioners*/trends , Leadership*, Burnout, Professional/prevention & control ; Burnout, Professional/psychology ; Humans |
| Abstract: | Abstract: Workforce distress, burnout, and moral injury threaten the stability and sustainability of health systems. Nurse practitioners (NPs), trained in prevention, systems thinking, and holistic care, are uniquely positioned to reframe wellness as a leadership imperative rather than a reactive initiative. This article introduces the FORTIFY Framework, an evidence-informed model that embeds prevention, recovery, and accountability into daily operations. Rooted in trauma-informed leadership and positive psychology, FORTIFY equips NPs to integrate wellness into policy, education, and practice design. Elevating wellness to a professional standard affirms its foundational role in clinical excellence, workforce vitality, and the future of nursing leadership. (Copyright © 2026 American Association of Nurse Practitioners.) |
| References: | American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). (2021). NP leadership competencies. AANP Press. Cramer E., Hunter B. (2023). The role of NP leadership in promoting organizational well-being. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Edmondson A. C. (2019). The fearless organization: Creating psychological safety in the workplace for learning, innovation, and growth. Wiley. ICISF. (2022). Critical incident stress management guidelines. International Critical Incident Stress Foundation. Maslach C., Leiter M. P. (2021). The burnout challenge: Managing people's relationships with their jobs. Harvard University Press. Mental Health First Aid USA. (2023). Mental Health First Aid: Program overview and impact. National Council for Mental Wellbeing. https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org. National Academy of Medicine. (2022). National plan for health workforce well-being. NAM Press. Neuman B. (1982). The Neuman systems model: Application to nursing education and practice. Appleton-Century-Crofts. Poghosyan L. (2023). Work environment and NP burnout: Associations with patient outcomes. JAANP, 35(4), 215–222. SAMHSA. (2023). Wellness initiative for health professionals. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Shanafelt T. D., Noseworthy J. H. (2017). Executive leadership and physician well-being: Nine organizational strategies to promote engagement and reduce burnout. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 92(1), 129–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.10.004 . (PMID: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2016.10.004) U.S. Surgeon General. (2022). Framework for workplace mental health and well-being. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Wei H., Roberts P., Strickler J., Corbett R. W. (2020). Nurse leaders' strategies to foster nurse resilience. JAANP, 32(2), 85–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12736. (PMID: 10.1111/jonm.12736) |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: Burnout prevention; clinical systems design; leadership development; nurse practitioners; organizational wellness; positive psychology; trauma-informed leadership; workforce resilience |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260401 Date Completed: 20260623 Latest Revision: 20260623 |
| Update Code: | 20260624 |
| DOI: | 10.1097/JXX.0000000000001274 |
| PMID: | 41920085 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 2327-6924 |
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| DOI: | 10.1097/JXX.0000000000001274 |