The leadership activities identified provide greater clarity in distinguishing between professional and clinical leadership and in specifying the nature and scope of leadership activities.

This article provides an introduction to the issue of nursing leadership, addressing definitions and theories underpinning leadership, factors that enhance leadership in nursing, and the nature of leadership content taught in undergraduate programmes. Highlighted are differences between leadership and management, and the notion that leadership can be 'learned'. The authors also point out that there is a discrepancy between how leading undergraduate nursing programmes prepare students primarily in the transition of education to practice, and the suggestion from a number of nursing publications that leadership in nurses should be fostered throughout their education.

Healthcare practitioners need to be knowledgeable of, and sensitive to, LGBT issues.

International policy initiatives have highlighted the need to include older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues in the provision of appropriate health and social care. However, empirical studies in the area remain sparse. The aim of this study was to investigate the experiences and needs of LGBT people over the age of 55 years living in Ireland and this article reports on specific mental health issues. Mixed methods were used involving 144 surveys and 36 semi-structured in-depth interviews. The findings revealed that a significant number of the survey respondents had experienced a mental health problem at some point in their lives with interview participants providing further details of their concerns. It is recommended that policy makers address the mental health needs of older LGBT people in future strategic directives and develop standards of care that support the principles of equality, inclusion and respect for diversity.

This is the second of two articles on developing leadership in nursing; this article explores the role and impact of training and education on nursing leadership. Nursing leadership education has been identified as much needed, and can be provided by universities (at Masters, diploma and certificate levels), healthcare organizations or hospitals. Research demonstrates that where leadership has been effectively taught and integrated into nursing, it has a positive impact on nurses' leadership skills and practice. It is suggested that healthcare organizations continue to develop and support leadership training, while also seeking ways of maintaining and promoting leadership development in practice.