Leadership Lived Experiences Among Ph.D. Nursing Graduates: A Qualitative Study

The purpose is to explore the leadership lived experiences of graduates of the Jordanian Ph.D. nursing program. The research design utilized a descriptive phenomenological approach. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was guided by Colaizzi (1978) approach. The findings show that two main themes emerged from the analysis, including: (1) essence of leadership, with two subthemes: influence and inspiring, and leadership through position; (2) leadership in real life, with four subthemes: leadership behaviors and skills, managerial functions, challenges in leadership practice, and leadership development. The findings highlight the perception of leadership among Ph.D.-prepared nurses. There is a critical need to develop leadership competencies among Ph.D.-prepared nurses. Doctoral nursing programs and postdoctoral settings should implement structured, evidence-based initiatives aimed at fostering leadership development to meet the evolving demands of healthcare systems. Doctoral nursing programs should incorporate mandatory leadership training, mentorship, and experiential learning to help Ph.D.-prepared nurses lead effectively in academic and clinical environments and address challenges.