However, the taking on of a leadership role by itself is not sufficient for ensuring effectiveness. The leader must be knowledgeable about leadership and be able to apply leadership skills in all aspects of work. Heller et al (2004) suggest that on the whole, nurses are not adequately prepared for the role of leader during their nursing education programmes. This gap between adequate educational preparation and the demands of the clinical setting can result in ineffective leadership in nursing. This is the first of two articles about promoting and developing leadership in nursing. The purpose of this first article is three-fold: firstly, to reaffirm issues concerning definitions and theories underpinning leadership; secondly, to examine the factors that enhance leadership in nursing; and thirdly to convey information about the nature of leadership content taught in undergraduate programmes.