Benefit from the inspiring mentorship of an AAN-awarded Living Legend!

“I have always recommended that nurses should read anything and everything ever written by Dr. Angela McBride. However, for this new book, I would go much further and tell the nurses that this book is a must for every nurse. I believe that any reader of this book will learn how to uncover and value their own experiences, affirm their capacity for leadership, and will look at leadership through a dynamic new lens. This is an inspiring book that will shake up current thinking about nursing leadership and will become a catalyst for developing more transformational leaders. This book transcends time, generations, and disciplines.”

—AFAF I. MELEIS, PHD, FAAN

Dean Emerita, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (Praise for the First Edition)

The Growth and Development of Nurse Leaders received the 2011 PROSE Award for the category “Nursing and Allied Health” from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Faculty Scholars.

Written by an acclaimed nurse leader, scholar, and author, this prizewinning book delivers an inspiring first-person narrative to help nurses at all career levels embrace and hone their leadership potential. The second edition expands on the original with updated material and five new chapters that focus on the dynamics of today’s healthcare environment. It addresses the complexity of our evolving healthcare system and aligns with new initiatives being championed by key nursing organizations.

Brimming with insight and personal anecdotes—while grounded in scholarly literature—this comprehensive and practical book addresses the major contemporary arenas of leadership: personal, organizational, and transformational. It discusses the personal qualities required of a good leader, the value of attaining self-knowledge, sustaining career optimism in the face of failure, orchestrating a career, achieving organizational goals, effective communication, the importance of strategic vision, and more.

New to the Second Edition:



Updated to encompass nearly a decade of changes in healthcare since the first edition was published
Sensitive to the interface between nursing service and nursing education
New chapters include:
The Shadow Side: Neediness and Failure

Building a Mentoring Network

Understanding Diversity and Inclusion

Aiming for Impact

Letting Go


Key Features



Helps nurses at all career levels to embrace and develop leadership potential
Draws on the leadership expertise of an internationally recognized nurse scholar, pragmatist, and AAN awarded Living Legend
Presents real-life challenges and personal anecdotes