Building leaders in Neuroscience Nursing, formal and informal, is critical in building strong neuroscience nurses, engagement in AANN on the local and national level, and in sustaining our direct care units in caring for the neuroscience patient. Leadership opportunities are all around the neuroscience nurse and sometimes the nurse may shy away from these opportunities because of fear of the unknown and fear of not being ready. This presentation will focus on the pathway of leadership beginning as an informal leader and progressing into a formal leader. This session will help better prepare the neuroscience nurse leader to begin the journey and understand that they will learn and develop through the journey. Neuroscience nurse leaders are needed and need to be supported in taking the next steps so that we are well represented on local and national levels in improving the knowledge and practice in caring for our patients.