In this article, the author proposes a nursing education model about leadership that can be used to improve the leadership skills of nursing doctoral students. This model is developed at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. In developing this model, the author had the opportunity to observe the University of Michigan, School of Nursing doctoral programme in operation, examining the educational methods and leadership practices in the clinical area. Interviews were conducted with relevant individuals and with clinical nurse leaders. The interviews provided information about the expectations of nurse leaders with respect to leadership education, the experiences of the clinic nurse leader, the challenges and vision of the leaders, how they manage change and the like. At the end of the interviews and observations, in conjunction with an intensive review of literature and dialogue with the co-authors, an educational model in leadership education and practice for nursing doctoral students was proposed, specifically for consideration of its possible usefulness for twenty-first century Turkey. This educational model will serve as a reference for doctoral programmes in nursing leadership education and practice in Turkey. (Contains 1 figure and 1 table.)