 Research Background: Although nursing education is offered at all levels in Iraq, the Iraqi Ministry of Health (Iraqi Ministry of Health) has stated that There are many factors that have affected the state of nursing and midwifery. These include the isolation, neglect and conflict that have been the plight of Iraq over the past thirteen years. As a result, nurses and midwives suffer from a poor professional image and low status. Little value is placed on nurses and midwives and their contributions to health care (World Health Organization, 2008). Leadership and good management skills are seriously lacking in the nursing service, regulation and development of the nursing profession and its organization in Iraq (Iraq Ministry). of Health 2004). Few opportunities have been provided for nurses to develop and exercise their leadership skills, and the value of having well-prepared senior nurses working collegially and collaboratively across the different sectors of health care delivery and training of health professionals is little recognized (Iraqi Ministry of Health). 2004). The helplessness of nurses to make decisions regarding their profession affects their image, good communication, planning and decision-making. This in turn affects nurses' participation in health care. For example, there is a lack of good role models and mentoring opportunities at all levels in clinical, education and management. Policy development and leadership planning constitute a major barrier to the development of a competent and confident nursing and midwifery workforce (Iraqi Ministry of Health, 2004). A well-developed national nursing and midwifery profession cannot be improved if there is a lack of nursing leadership at all levels......middle of article......ion in Islam July 2010, .Shukri, R 2005, 'Health status of nursing in the Arab world', ethnicity and illness., vol. 15, no. winter 2005, pp. 88-9. World Health Organization 1997, A strategy for the development of nursing and midwifery in the Eastern Mediterranean region., 25, Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean., Egypt. World Health Organization 2000, Iraq Briefing, Northern Governorate. : Human resources and education., Geneva. World Health Organization 2008, Promoting the development of nursing and midwifery in the Eastern Mediterranean region., 55, Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean., Switzerland. World Health Organization Health 2002, Nursing and midwifery: a guide to professional regulation., World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo.