title: The embodiment of authentic leadership.
abstract: Development of student leadership capacity and efficacy is critical to the nursing profession, and vital to this process is a strong foundation in critical thinking that includes a depth of understanding of self (i.e., authentic leadership development). This article will (a) present a theoretical overview of authentic leadership as compared with other popular leadership theories, (b) provide an overview of development/implementation of an authentic leadership course, the first in a series of six one-credit courses as an integral component of the Macy Undergraduate Leadership Fellows Program for upper-level nursing students, and (c) discuss related implications for nursing education. Findings from an investigator-developed quantitative pre-post survey and qualitative evaluation questions are provided. Student feedback regarding the comprehensive nature of the course was extremely positive and affirmed the value of introspection associated with authentic leadership in ongoing personal and professional development. Critical pedagogy and action-oriented learning strategies also proved beneficial to student engagement.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Dean of Academic Integration and Evaluation of Community Programs, Associate Professor, Drexel University, Doctoral Nursing Department, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Philadelphia, PA.. Electronic address: rlw26@drexel.edu.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Waite
authors.affiliation: Department of Couple and Family Therapy, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McKinney
authors.affiliation: Professor, Dean School of Nursing, Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA 15282.
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Smith-Glasgow
authors.affiliation: Associate Dean Pre-licensure BSN Programs, Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health Professions.
authors.forename: Faye A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Meloy
mesh_terms: D007857:Leadership; D013338:Students, Nursing
keywords: Authentic; Leadership; Undergraduate nursing