Revolutionizing Frontline Leadership Through Caring Science: Five Years of the Assistant Nurse Manager Community of Practice

Frontline nurse leaders are pivotal in advancing safety, quality, and engagement, yet many transition into leadership roles with limited preparation and structured support. To address this gap, Kaiser Permanente Northern California established the Assistant Nurse Manager (ANM) Community of Practice (CoP) in 2019, a Caring Science-based leadership development model uniting more than 800 ANMs across 21 medical centers. Guided by Jean Watson's Theory of Human Caring, the CoP integrates leadership formation, wellness practices, and professional development through monthly sessions featuring centering rituals, reflective dialogue, and mentorship. Over 5 years, the ANM CoP has evolved into a regionwide movement that strengthens relational leadership, psychological safety, and collective resilience. Leadership micropractices such as HeartMath for self-regulation, equine-assisted leadership for relational awareness, and mindfulness for presence translate Caring Science from theory into practice. Evaluation demonstrates a 26% improvement in first-year retention (23.5%-17.3%) and a 50% reduction in turnover within 2 years. Qualitative findings highlight increased moral resilience, belonging, and trust. Now entering its sixth year, the ANM CoP represents a replicable model for cultivating psychologically safe, caring, and high-performing leadership cultures that bridge evidence and empathy, advancing both organizational outcomes and human flourishing.