van Dongen, LisaSuidman, LisaHenriques, Maria AdrianaJónsdóttir, HelgaLeino-Kilpi, HelenaLuderer, ChristianeSuhonen, RiittaHafsteinsdóttir, Thóra B2025-11-202025-11-202024-03-01van Dongen, L, Suidman, L, Henriques, M A, Jónsdóttir, H, Leino-Kilpi, H, Luderer, C, Suhonen, R & Hafsteinsdóttir, T B 2024, 'Improved professional competencies and leadership in PhD-prepared nurses and doctoral students after participating in the cross-national and web-based Nurse-Lead program', Nursing Outlook, vol. 72, no. 2, 102144, pp. 102144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2024.1021440029-65542184630931b0392fe-64b3-4100-9d17-77da924356a13838244485185795547unpaywall: 10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102144https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/7494Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The AuthorsBACKGROUND: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)-prepared nurses are expected to exercise leadership in their various roles. Therefore, European nurse scholars developed a cross-national web-based Nursing Leadership and Mentoring Educational (Nurse-Lead) program. PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in leadership practices, professional and research competencies as well as career development of PhD-prepared nurses and doctoral nursing students after participation in the Nurse-Lead program. METHODS: A pre-post-test evaluation was conducted. Surveys addressed leadership, professional and research competencies, and career development. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and paired sample t-tests. Content analysis was used for qualitative data. DISCUSSION: The 30 participants showed significant improvements in all leadership practices, professional competencies, and most research competencies. Participants reported increased confidence in decision-making, taking on new responsibilities, and becoming more visible within research teams. CONCLUSION: Web-based, international leadership and mentoring programs are promising tools for the leadership and professional development of PhD-prepared nurses and doctoral nursing students.9764796102144eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessCareer developmentDoctoral nursing studentDoctorally prepared nurseLeadership developmentMentoringProfessional developmentGeneral NursingSDG 4 - Quality Education/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/researchoutputtypes/contributiontojournal/article10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102144