Background: Transformational leadership fosters trusting relationships; new visions; and personal, professional, and cultural growth. Effective leaders support their team’s motivational growth and organizational goals. This study aims to underscore the importance of transformational leadership and its various dimensions, focusing on its impact on job satisfaction and personal mastery among nursing leaders in healthcare organizations. Method: A cross-sectional design with convenience sampling was used. The evaluation tools included the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-6S), the Satisfaction of Employees in Health Care (SEHC) questionnaire, and the Personal Mastery Scale (PMS). Results: The findings indicate that job satisfaction is influenced by transformational leadership, emphasizing the importance of tailored leadership development strategies within healthcare organizations. The laissez-faire leadership style was the only one showing no correlation with nurses’ job satisfaction. Other leadership styles showed significant positive or negative correlations with the analyzed variables. Conclusions: Transformational leaders are essential for fostering trust and enhancing job satisfaction in healthcare settings. Positive leadership styles contribute to higher levels of job satisfaction and personal mastery among nursing leaders. Conversely, laissez-faire and autocratic leadership styles can negatively impact performance and staff satisfaction. These findings highlight the critical role of leaders in creating positive work environments and supporting employee development and well-being in healthcare.

Background: The nursing licensure examination is the final assessment of the university curriculum, certifying that students have acquired the competencies necessary for practicing the profession. Understanding the meaning and usefulness attributed to this test can contribute to the international debate on its value and potential continuation. In Italy, most studies in this field involve Directors of Degree Courses, while research on the lived experience of newly graduated nurses in facing the examination is lacking. Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the lived experience of newly graduated nurses during the licensure examination. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted. Video–audio-recorded interviews were conducted and analyzed using Giorgi’s descriptive method, inspired by Husserl’s philosophy. Results: Fifteen nurses participated. The thematic analysis of the interviews revealed four significant areas: preparation and support received, ambivalent experience of the exam, emotions experienced during the exam, and the symbolic value ascribed to the exam itself. Each thematic area was further articulated into subthemes, for a total of ten analytical subdimensions. The licensure examination holds multiple meanings for new graduates: an opportunity for verification, a rite of passage, but also an emotionally charged event. While it represents a fundamental moment for constructing a professional identity, it also requires critical reflection on assessment methods, the fairness of the system, and the true educational value of the examination. Conclusions: Understanding the elements that influence the examination experience can help educators improve student preparation and promote a smoother transition to the professional role.