Understanding and Improving Psychological Safety in California's Nursing Workforce

The Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) in partnership with American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) and HealthImpact are conducting a study on challenging and possible toxic leadership behaviors in the workplace. Slow Talk, a data gathering organization, will host facilitated online conversations with nurses about workplace leadership, communication, psychological safety, and unhealthy work environments.

We are inviting nurses from a variety of healthcare settings in California to participate in a guided small group conversation that are confidential. These discussions provide an opportunity to share your experiences, reflect on what contributes to healthy and unhealthy work environments, and help identify meaningful strategies for positive change. Guided by short recorded prompts from nurse leaders, each conversation allows participants to openly discuss their experiences and perspectives.

During the discussion, participants will explore topics such as:

• Experiences working with organizational leadership
• Workplace communication and support
• Psychological safety and professional well being
• Leadership behaviors that help or hinder nurses
• Ideas for creating healthier work environments

Whatever your experience, your perspective is valuable.

Individual responses are kept confidential. Your name and workplace will not be attached to anything we share. Findings are reported as collective patterns and anonymized quotes, with optional voice-masked audio clips from participants who choose to share theirs. Your experiences can help inform future nursing leadership research and leadership development initiatives.

What to Expect:

• Format: Small group conversation guided by Slow Talk
• Length: <60 minutes
• Location: Anywhere you can comfortably have a private conversation without a lot of distractions
• Requirements: A smartphone with the Slow Talk app installed
• Platform: The Slow Talk app (available on iOS and Android)
• Scheduling: Multiple session dates and times are available from 9/15/2026 - 11/15/2026
• Eligibility: Licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) at all levels of nursing practice and settings