All nations are currently challenged by the increasing prevalence of non-communicable and chronic disease [1]. In Australia, by 2051, over 50% of the population over 50 will have a chronic disease [2]. In addition to increased levels of chronic disease, services will be stretched through workforce shortages, and government policies to provide greater access to services. Within the United States of America demand for primary care services will further increased by the passage and progressive implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which expands Medicaid coverage to millions of low-income Americans [3]. Given the increasing levels of disease burden, all staff, not just doctors, need to be viewed as part of the solution and encouraged to innovate and search for better and more affordable ways of delivering effective and appropriate care [4]. Globally, nurses are the largest and most accessible cohort within the health workforce. It is not surprising; therefore, that increasing reference to nurse-led services is present within the literature. This paper reports the findings of a focused literature review aimed at identifying the range of leadership skills and attributes required of nurses involved in the leading roles in the provision of nurse-led services and the management of nurse-led clinics. The implications for nursing education are highlighted and discussed
