Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effects of the action learning project in head nurse leadership training.Methods A total of 43 new head nurses were recruited in our study，and they were trained by action learning which combined classroom learning with learning by doing.The training effects were evaluated by interviews before and after training，leadership evaluation and reports. Results The interview data showed that two aspects of the head nurses were improved including the improvement of leadership and the re-examination of their own abilities.After the training，the nursing department’s leadership score for head nurses was improved in seven dimensions besides “service consciousness”（P<0.05）. The 43 action items selected by head nurses were all achieved and the qualification rate was 100%. Conclusion The action learning can not only promote the leadership of the head nurses，but also improve the overall performance of the nursing team.

Key words: Nurse Administrators, Inservice Training, Nursing, Supervision, Action learning