The need for leadership

This paper examined a number of leadership theories and established that Transformational Leadership is often cited as an appropriate leadership model for nursing. Evidence was put forward to suggest that Australian nurses possess many of the attributes considered as consistent with transformational leaders. However, in the future nurses may require leadership skills, such as technical and collaborative skills, beyond what they have at present since it is not know if the future leadership needs of nursing will be met with the transformational model. Suggestions are provided for the development and encouragement of future leaders. Those discussed are the learning organisation and professional practice models.