ABSTRACT
The purpose of this phenomenological descriptive study was to describe the Jordanian nurses' perception of the leadership characteristics and situational factors that affect nursing care as perceived by Jordanian nurses. A total sample of 19 registered nurses were selected conveniently from a major governmental hospital at the capital of Amman, and interviewed individually using critical incidents method at the work site. The study revealed up to 15 minor personal themes, collapsed into four major themes characterizing the leadership behavior, and eight situational factors. Most of the personal themes, and the situational factors were perceived as negative, while three personal themes and one situational factor were perceived as positive. Dishonesty, partiality and creating problems, were the most repeated personal themes respectively, while support was the most reported positive theme. Injustice was the most repeated situation factor. The results imply that there is an overwhelming situation that nurses suffer from at the personal and institutional levels. Institutions should emphasize on the role of nurse leaders through in-service education programs and recruitment procedures. Nursing curricula should also focus on teaching nursing students clinical leadership skills, emphasize leadership theory and practice, and support leadership qualities among nursing students