Although nursing is grounded in compassion, nurses, particularly those early in their careers, frequently experience significant stress, emotional exhaustion, and secondary traumatic stress. To address the need for well-being support, a multisite observational research study led by Erica Anderson, DNP, RN, CNS, CNL, PHN, in collaboration with Kaiser Permanente Northern California medical centers, investigated the impact of Healing Circles on nurse residents at 18 sites. The study assessed whether structured reflection and community-building could improve compassion satisfaction, self-care, and social belonging.
A total of 266 nurse residents from Cohorts 7 and 8 participated in the study. Cohort 7 functioned as the pre-intervention group, whereas Cohort 8 participated in monthly Healing Circles incorporated into the Nurse Residency Program curriculum.
At Sacramento Medical Center, Co-Principal Investigator Joel Mallari, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, conducted qualitative interviews with 14 nurse residents to document their experiences of connection, reflection, and renewal. Participants characterized Healing Circles as a supportive environment for processing the transition to practice and reconnecting with the core values of nursing.
Qualitative Results
Several key themes emerged in Sacramento. Nurse residents reported that Healing Circles fostered emotional safety by providing a non-judgmental environment for open discussion, sharing challenges, and reducing feelings of isolation. The circles promoted personal growth through reflective prompts focused on career goals and emotional experiences. Residents also noted enhanced professional compassion, including increased empathy, improved listening skills, and greater awareness of colleagues’ challenges. Participants described improved self-care practices, increased self-forgiveness, and more effective coping strategies tailored to shift work. Healing Circles also strengthened peer relationships, fostering trust, camaraderie, and a sense of cohort belonging. Additionally, participants perceived the program as evidence of organizational investment in their well-being, which deepened loyalty but also underscored the need for clearer professional development pathways.
Quantitative Results
Validated instruments, including the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Scale, Social Connectedness Scale, and Watson Caring Science Self-Care Score, demonstrated positive trends in compassion satisfaction, social connection, and self-care over time. These quantitative improvements aligned with qualitative findings and underscored the value of structured emotional and relational support.
Across all sites, nurse residents described Healing Circles as a space to pause and breathe, a sense of belonging, and a reminder of why we chose nursing.
Implications for Kaiser Permanente Sacramento
The findings indicate that integrating Healing Circles into residency curricula strengthens emotional resilience, fosters a robust practice community, and enhances compassionate care.
For Kaiser Permanente Sacramento, these results identify Healing Circles as a scalable strategy to promote well-being, improve retention, and support a thriving nursing workforce, reflecting the organization’s commitment to a compassionate, connected, and resilient work environment.