Leadership Attributes and Meanings Across Nursing Positions: An Exploratory Study

Purpose: To analyze the manifested attributes and meanings of nursing leadership according to nursing position. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted using Kim et al.’s (2015) Nursing Leadership Concept Classification Framework. Studies published between January 2015 and June 2025 were systematically searched in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, KISS, RISS, and DBpia with the terms “nursing leadership,” “nursing AND leadership,” “(nurse OR nurses) AND leadership,” “clinical leadership,” and “nurse manager leadership.” A total of 69 studies were included in the analysis, comprising 57 domestic and 12 international studies. Results: Based on five attributes and 20 sub-attributes, 180 manifested attributes and their meanings were derived. A developmental framework of nursing leadership according to nursing position was proposed. Staff nurses demonstrated Self-directed Caring Leadership; first-line nurse managers, Collaborative Coordinating Leadership; and chief nurse executives, Strategic Achievement Leadership. Conclusion: Nursing leadership develops with nursing position, from individual selfmanagement to team collaboration and organizational innovation. As a competency across positions, nursing leadership enhances patient safety, care quality, and organizational leadership, while providing a foundation for human resource management, tailored education, and workforce development.