Nurses Taking the Lead: Personal Qualities of Effective Leadership

This is a book for nurses and nursing students on what personal qualities go into being an effective leader. Rather than provide a lengthy review of the theoretical leadership literature, this book brings together personal accounts of actual nursing leaders who describe how a particular quality helped them toward the achievements that made them a leader.

Edited by, and with contributions from, recognized nursing leaders throughout the profession, as well as nurses in the trenches.

Addresses many topics not covered in other nursing texts, such as risk-taking, being a futurist, recognizing the right time for action, being proactive, and mentoring others.

Offers a consistent chapter organization that presents an overview of the leadership principle, an in-depth discussion of the principle, and an application of the principle through the personal story of the chapter author.

Includes inspiring and practical stories of individual achievement. All chapters except the opening chapter are told from first-person experience. This approach maintains readers interest and shows them how leadership behavior can be part of their personal and professional lives.

Uses an accessible, conversational writing style throughout.