Nursing leadership in the European landscape: influence, reality and politics

Demonstrating the impact and effectiveness of nursing leadership, influence and power within the European space is a challenging endeavour. Using the example of the European Directive on Professional Qualifications (2005/36/EC) and its successor legislation (Modernised Directive 2013/55/EU), this paper reviews the collaborative strategies, drivers and leadership actions which have influenced the recent legislation, albeit without complete success. Looking to the future, it is argued that nursing will struggle to achieve further positive political outcomes until there is a more coherent, assertive and collaborative leadership at pan-European level. Given the complexity of the European ‘trilogue’, namely the co-decision powers and interactions between the European Parliament, Commission, and Council, it is essential that far-reaching and sustained network(s) of influence are established within each country, including prospective accession countries. A failure to co-ordinate, co-operate, strategically lobby, garner research evidence and argue for standards of education, practice, care and workforce conditions, could lead to significant threats to public protection and safety. Drawing upon the related historical and contemporary context, sources of contemporary leadership, ‘absent and strident voices’ and European Union (EU) policy drivers, recommendations for future leadership directions are proposed. Political engagement is crucial to enabling reforms for the next Directive revision.