A vision for tomorrow: transformational nursing leaders.

BACKGROUND Interviews with 8 transformational nursing leaders are presented. PURPOSE My purpose was to provide a picture of leadership principles and values as practiced by transformational nursing leaders. METHOD Interviews were conducted as person-to-person, by telephone, or through e-mail. DISCUSSION The leaders shared their transformational leadership qualities, ideas of a successful environment, effective change strategies, antecedents for success, and visions for the future of nursing practice. CONCLUSIONS All of the transformational leaders interviewed strive for excellence, value integrity, shape their environment for success, demonstrate perseverance, attempt to improve the lives of others, possess a genuine love for people, motivate others with inspiration, "invent" the future, and share the path toward self-discovery.