Objective: The aim of this study was to describe nursing students' experiences of clinical leadership during their
last year of education.
Background:Work as a nurse is complexwith several demands fromstakeholderswho are colleagues, managers,
patients and relatives. Therefore, it is important to provide studentswith tools for a forthcoming professional life
as a nurse.
Setting, Participants and Method: A qualitative descriptive study was carried out in Jordan. Narratives (n = 20)
written by nursing students in their last year before graduation as a registered nurse were collected. The data
were analysed by a manifest content analysis.
Results: The results formed one category: (Clinical leadership—safety in being a nurse), and three subcategories
(eye-opener, a role model and bridging the gap) described the students' clinical leadership experiences due to
the preparation process for being a nurse. Clinical leadership applies theory to practice by using a holistic view
in nursing.
Conclusion: Clinical leadership is a valuable tool for bridging the gap between theory and practice in nursing
education. Skills within nursing management clarify and simplify nursing activities, which facilitates the
transition from student to nurse. Focus on learning needs in nursing management is needed for stakeholders
within education and health care organisations to facilitate graduation of well skilled nurses.