A vision for tomorrow: Transformational nursing leaders

Background: Interviews with 8 transformational nursing leaders are presented. Purpose: My purpose was to provide a picture of leadership principles and values as practiced by transformational nursing leaders. Method: Interviews were conducted as person-to-person, by telephone, or through e-mail. Disucssion: The leaders shared their transformational leadership qualities, ideas of a successful environment, effective change strategies, antecedents for success, and visions for the future of nursing practice. Conclusions: All of the transformational leaders interviewed strive for excellence, value integrity, shape their environment for success, demonstrate perseverance, attempt to improve the lives of others, possess a genuine love for people, motivate others with inspiration, “invent” the future, and share the path toward self-discovery.