Socially Responsible Leadership: A study with nursing and medical students in Turkey

This study determined the levels of Socially Responsible Leadership of students studying in the nursing and medical faculties of a public university as well as the influencing variables. The sample of this descriptive and correlational study consisted of the students studying in the nursing and medical faculties of a public university (n = 464). The data were collected using the Socially Responsible Leadership Scale. The total and all subscale scores obtained by the nursing and medical students from the Socially Responsible Leadership Scale were in the middle level. The effects of the department and participation in student clubs were statistically significant in the model when examining the variables affecting leadership level. The results of this study revealed the necessity of improving the Socially Responsible Leadership levels in the basic professional education programs for physicians and nurses. •The nurses and physicians should take the lead in professional practices concerning promotion of community health.•Physicians are perceived as natural leaders in the health team, business world, politics, and in voluntary organizations.•SRL levels of nursing and medical faculty students were compared in this study.•The SRL levels of nursing and medical faculty students were at middle levels.•The SRLS total scores were higher in the nursing students compared to the medical faculty students.