Self-Leadership and Associated Factors in Nursing Students
NURSE EDUCATOR, vol.50, no.2, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 50 Issue: 2
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.1097/nne.0000000000001762
- Journal Name: NURSE EDUCATOR
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts
- Keywords: leadership, mixed-methods, self-leadership, self-regulation
- Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background:Nurse leaders face high pressure, but self-leadership can help them thrive. Nursing students, therefore, should develop this skill before graduation.Purpose:To investigate nursing students' self-leadership perceptions and associated factors, and to reveal when and how self-leadership strategies are utilized.Methods:An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design with interpretative description; 943 nursing students were surveyed and 13 were selected for qualitative analysis. Descriptive data were collected, and self-leadership was assessed using the Revised Self-Leadership Questionnaire. Focus group interviews were analyzed through thematic and content analysis.Results:Students who were employed, were involved in student clubs or organizations, held managerial roles, and had career goals exhibited higher self-leadership perceptions. Qualitative findings revealed that staying in comfort zones, overthinking, and procrastination hinder self-leadership, while self-respect, self-awareness, and self-determination enhance it.Conclusions:Nurse educators should design interventions that enable students to take on planning roles, advance at their own pace, and engage in opportunities to develop their self-leadership skills.