Aim: This study aimed to examine the levels of emotional intelligence and leadership in nursing students. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 417 students who studied at a nursing school. The data were gathered using an information form and the Emotionally Intelligent Student Leadership Scale and were analyzed with descriptive, parametric and nonparametric tests. Results: Of the students, 51.1% were 21 years of age or older, 82.3% were female, and 74.3% came from democratic families. Of the students, 31.9% were fourth-year students. Students' total score on the Emotionally Intelligent Leadership Scale was 3.73±0.50. The scale scores of those students who were female, attended second and final years, had an academic grade over 3.00, had democratic families, were pleased with studying at nursing school and participated in meeting/ training about leadership were higher, and these results were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Generally, the levels of emotional intelligence leadership found in the nursing students were high. However, regulations should be made to improve the emotional intelligence leadership of nursing students who are male, studied in the first or third years, came from an autocratic family, had a low academic grade point average and were not satisfied with studying at nursing school.