The findings demonstrate significant mean differences between residents and nonresidents in their overall clinical leadership skills.

Residents were more likely to have higher level leadership skills as they relate to clinical expertise, effective communication, collaboration, coordination, and interpersonal understanding when compared to nonresidents.

The implications of these findings for nursing practice in Saudi Arabia lie on the demonstrated importance of residency programs in the development and enhancement of leadership skills among the new graduate Saudi nurse.

The findings indicate the need to implement more residency programs in hospitals of Saudi Arabia.