The Role of Education in Developing Leadership in Nurses

Abstract

Nurses, with their intimate knowledge of person-centred healthcare, are called to lead at the point of care and to promote health across settings and the continuum of care. Capacity building and knowledge development for nursing leadership is a current priority in Canada, and therefore, academic preparation is foundational to developing nurses who lead. We provide examples of how to build leadership capacity in undergraduate, graduate and continuing professional development programs. Nurse educators across practice settings need to align educational content and pedagogies with the necessary knowledge, skills and attributes for leading both within and beyond healthcare contexts. Excellence in nursing education and strong partnerships with health sectors will contribute to effective and collaborative healthcare provided through nursing's distinctive lens.