Seminar on Leadership and Empowerment in Nursing Held

At the seminar titled “Leadership and Professional Empowerment in Nursing: From Education to Practice,” organized by the School of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing at Cyprus International University (CIU), Prof. Dr. Elif Gürsoy, founding president of the Nursing Leadership Association, met with academics and students. During the event, the development of leadership in the nursing profession and the importance of professional empowerment were discussed in detail.

In her presentation, Prof. Dr. Elif Gürsoy emphasized that professional empowerment is not limited to knowledge and skills, and highlighted that nurses should take an active role in decision-making mechanisms. She stated that achieving an effective position within the healthcare system is possible through specialization, continuous learning, and a strong sense of professional responsibility. Gürsoy underlined that nurses should not only be practitioners but also actors who develop and shape policies, adding that this process should be supported by both individual awareness and collective action.

Sharing examples from her own professional journey, Gürsoy noted that her early experiences shaped her understanding of leadership and challenges encountered throughout one’s career present important opportunities for transformation. Emphasizing that the strengthening of the nursing profession is only possible through the active participation and responsibility of its members, she stated, “The development of the profession is not an external process, but a structure shaped directly by the efforts of its members.”

Gürsoy also pointed out that leadership is not limited to managerial roles, and innovative thinking, developing a critical perspective, and the ability to take risks are among the fundamental components of leadership. She highlighted the importance of students gaining professional awareness at an early stage, emphasizing that a strong professional identity can only be built on solid foundations established during the education process.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, and it is aimed that the seminar will contribute to the development of leadership skills and increased professional awareness among nursing students.