Education and development as factors inspiring nursing leaders: A qualitative study

Nursing leadership plays a crucial role in advancing healthcare, yet young nurses and nursing students face barriers to pursuing leadership roles, such as resource constraints and personal challenges.

This study aimed to explore the perceptions of young nurses and nursing students regarding factors that influence their willingness to pursue leadership roles in nursing.

Qualitative descriptive exploratory design with interviews. Qualitative research was conducted from April to July 2022. Semi-structured interviews were held with 21 participants (15 nurses with less than 10 years of experience and six nursing students), all born between 1980 and 2002. Data were analyzed using an inductive methodology.

Participants identified advanced nursing certificates, postgraduate degrees, workshops, and hands-on projects as key to leadership development. While they distinguished leadership from management, overlapping competencies were noted in vision and change orientation. Barriers included organizational resource limitations and personal challenges, particularly for women balancing family and career. Structured leadership programs and mentorship were emphasized as critical support mechanisms.

Young nurses and nursing students value leadership roles and believe that empowerment, goal-setting, and practical involvement can cultivate leadership skills. These findings can guide managers and policymakers in developing programs to support leadership aspirations and career advancement in nursing.