Student Leadership in Undergraduate Nursing Research: A Qualitative Content Analysis of Roles, Challenges and Professional Growth.

AIM: To explore the roles, challenges and perceived professional growth of undergraduate nursing student research leaders during thesis work. DESIGN: This study used a qualitative descriptive design. METHODS: Written reflections from 29 undergraduate nursing student research leaders were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis. Participants had served as designated research group leaders during undergraduate thesis work. Data were coded, grouped into categories and synthesized into themes. Strategies to support analytic rigour included reflexive journaling, peer debriefing and an audit trail. RESULTS: Eight themes were identified: roles and responsibilities of group leaders, emotional landscape of leadership, academic and research-related challenges, group dynamics and interpersonal processes, leadership development and evolving leadership styles, faculty mentorship and institutional support, personal and professional growth, and lessons and recommendations for the future. Findings suggest that undergraduate thesis leadership may strengthen communication, accountability, resilience, collaboration and readiness for future professional roles. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: There was no patient or public contribution in the design, conduct, analysis or reporting of this study.