Developing global nurse leaders: A cross-cultural mentorship case in cardiovascular nursing research.

BACKGROUND: Mentorship is a strategic approach to developing research leadership and professional growth among early-career nurses, particularly in cardiovascular settings where complex clinical and academic demands intersect. PURPOSE: This case study examined a formal, cross-cultural mentoring experience within the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions (ACNAP) One-to-One Mentorship Program, focusing on its contribution to research leadership development, professional identity formation, and global collaboration in cardiovascular nursing. METHODS: A 12-month narrative case study design was used to explore a mentorship between an early-career cardiovascular nurse researcher in a Middle Eastern country and a senior cardiovascular nursing leader in a European country. Data sources included structured narrative reflections, mentorship plans, meeting records, co-authored scholarly outputs, and personal reflections. DISCUSSION: The mentorship led to the development and submission of a peer-reviewed manuscript, an international conference presentation, and sustained scholarly collaboration. It also strengthened the mentee's confidence, academic writing, and emerging leadership identity, while expanding the mentor's understanding of global cardiovascular nursing education and leadership needs. Bidirectional learning, intentional goal-setting, and structured support were central mechanisms through which leadership capacity, research productivity, and international networks were enhanced. CONCLUSION: Cross-cultural mentorship programs led by professional societies such as ACNAP can serve as purposeful leadership-development strategies that build research capacity, support health-equity goals through global partnership, and cultivate the next generation of nurse leaders in cardiovascular care.