The importance of leadership to the effective provision of health care is unquestionable,as is the centrality of leadership to
nursing, not only at formal management level,but at all grades,from student nurse to director of nursing/matron. Therefore,it is now apparent that leadership is not only a function of management but is something that should pervade
professional nursing practice.It seems logical to conclude that the development of excellence in nursing leadership
should, therefore,begin at the earliest stages of basic nursing education and training.The evidence is otherwise,
however—despite the fact that the professional literature has,for some time,indicated that leadership is an essential part
of nursing practice and that all nurses' roles are,in one way or other,leadership roles.In the second and concluding article
on this subject,the authors will further explore the role that nurse education and training could play in the development
of nursing leadership.In doing so, the authors will see to challenge nursing educators and service providers,responsible
for the wider educational development of nurses,to consider the implications of our recommendations.