[Nursing leadership in perspective]

South Africa is currently in the process of political change, which places great demands on all service sectors. To meet these demands effectively, will require dynamic leadership on all levels of service industries. The nursing profession in South Africa has produced several significant leaders, of whom Sister Henriëtta Stockdale and Professor Charlotte Searle are prime examples. However, research reports indicate that the profession is currently undergoing a crisis with regard to nursing service management. It is assumed that the nursing profession of South Africa is experiencing a leadership crisis. It seems as if there are not sufficient new leaders to replace those who retire from the profession--which means that leadership development is inadequate in the profession. Only a few South African research projects have been undertaken with regard to leadership in the nursing profession. However, the process of leadership practice in nursing has never been researched in South Africa. In this paper a provisional model is presented for leadership practice in nursing, which is developed and based on a Judeo-Christian-philosophical approach. The dimensions and assumptions of nursing leadership practice will be discussed, whereafter the dynamics of nursing leadership will be highlighted. Finally the process of leadership will be described by suggesting four leadership actions, each with its own principles, prerequisites and assumptions. It is recommended that this provisional model be exposed to reliability and validity control measures, to develop a final model for nursing leadership.