Preparing the next generation of nurse leaders: an educational needs assessment.

A group of nurse leaders from education and practice settings in Western New York convened in 2007. They expressed concern about preparing the next generation of nurse leaders. This was identified as critical for the future direction of health care. A plan for educational enrichment of nurses about this topic evolved. Area nurse leaders were surveyed to describe the conditions that would enable the development of nurse leadership and to recommend educational content that would support it.