RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To analyse, from a gender perspective, the characteristics and perception of the effects of leadership of nurses in a hospital of the Andalusian Public Health System. METHODOLOGY: Qualitative study with a phenomenological approach. The participants were nurses in care and intermediate positions with a contract of more than 6 months. A qualitative content analysis was carried out. Four phases were established for data analysis, from which 5 categories resulted. NVivo 11 software was used to analyse the dialogues. RESULTS: The participants' discourses endow the leader with characteristics that define him as a reference person. The contribution of middle management is necessary for the achievement of the objectives of the care units and the cohesion of the group, although this group perceives it only in relation to the management of resources. Access to management positions is not linked to gender. CONCLUSIONS: The participants' discourses endow the leader with characteristics that define him as a reference person. The contribution of middle management is necessary for the achievement of the objectives of the care units and the cohesion of the group, although this group perceives it only in relation to the management of resources. Access to management positions is not linked to gender.