A systematic review of research on factors contributing to nursing leadership by Cummings et al (2008) divides the research into studies of behaviours and practices of nursing leaders, their traits and characteristics, the impact of the healthcare context and practice settings, and educational participation of nursing leaders. Although the reviewers are far from impressed with the designs of the 24 studies deemed worthy of inclusion in the review, their overall conclusions suggest that there is evidence that leadership in nurses can be developed through educational activities, modelling and practicing leadership