A qualitative descriptive study of effective leadership and leadership development strategies used by nurse leaders in European island countries

AIM: Nurse leaders influence workplace culture; however, little is known about ethnic cultural influences on nurse leader development. This research aims to identify personal strategies promoting effective leadership by nurse leaders from European small island countries. DESIGN: Descriptive qualitative study. METHODS: In 2017, nineteen semi‐structured interviews with nurse leaders from England, Greece, Republic of Ireland and Malta explored leadership journeys, strategies employed to support their growth and development, and how cultural identity played a role. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four main themes and 12 subthemes captured the strategies and approaches of the nurse leaders: (1) Influences, (2) Communication, (3) Process and (4) Relationships. These findings reflect and validate the five transformational leadership practices of the Exemplary Leadership Model. While cultural island identity was discussed, there was a shared cultural identity within the role of “nurse leader” that spanned all islands. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTIONS: Nineteen nurse leaders contributed to this study.