Nurse Residents at the Antioch Medical Center participated in a local focus group as part of a regional research study comprised of 18 Kaiser Permanente hospitals focused on assessing the impact of participation in healing circles on nurses in the Northern California Nurse Residency Program.

Findings of the study demonstrated significance in self-care over time as well as professional quality of life for individuals but also a direct benefit to the organization and hospital. Participants reported an increase in social connectedness, an increase in self-care practices, and an increase in job satisfaction. Key themes captured in analysis included: hospital benefit, gratitude to KP, self-care, program value and meaning, sense of connection and community, and personal and professional growth.

The Healing Circles study demonstrated the value of ongoing circles to support individual wellbeing within the organization, a community of practice for support and mentoring new nurses.