Second-degree Bachelor of Science in nursing students' perspectives on nursing leadership: A phenomenological study
Journal
Journal of Professional Nursing
Journal Volume
63
Start Page
33
End Page
40
ISSN
1532-8481
Date Issued
2026-03-01
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: Leadership is a critical nursing competency. Existing research has focused predominantly on traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students - those who enter nursing programs directly after high school - and their perspectives on leadership. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of second-degree BSN students on nursing leadership. Methods: A phenomenological approach was employed. Final-year second-degree BSN students enrolled in a 2.5-year program at a university in Taiwan participated. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted in 2023, with saturation achieved after interviewing 16 participants. Data were analyzed using Colazzi's seven-step method with the aid of NVivo software. Results: Five themes with 14 sub-themes emerged: (1) Personal meaning of leadership: requirements, values, and perceptions of becoming a leader; (2) Positive leadership: effective leaders showed communication, crisis management, and team-building skills; (3) Negative leadership: authoritarianism and scapegoating; (4) Nurturing work environments: promoting retention, compassion, and manageable workloads; (5) Enhancing care quality: understanding unit operations and applying effective planning and management. Conclusion: This study could guide nursing educators and leaders in understanding second-degree BSN students' leadership perspectives and designing educational courses that emphasize compassionate and system-oriented leadership.
Subjects
Leadership
Nursing students
Phenomenology
Second-degree bachelor of science in nursing
Type
journal article