Integrating student leadership and co-design in nurse education

Nurse education is evolving, with increasing emphasis on student-led initiatives and co-design. Integrating leadership development in nurse education is important for preparing future nurses to navigate complex healthcare environments. This article details a project involving six nursing students who participated in the Ambition to Success programme at Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland. The students took part in a series of workshops and collaborated with academics and professionals to develop a digital resource for students on diabetes mellitus. Using a co-design framework, they worked alongside experienced nurses and educators to create an engaging and evidence-based learning tool. The project supported the development of leadership skills, critical thinking and teamwork while enabling students to contribute directly to nurse education.