Aim The objective of this study was to identify the key dimensions of transformational leadership that influence the promotion of engagement and structural empowerment in a population of nurses from different care settings.

Method A cross-sectional survey study asking about engagement, leadership style and structural empowerment was used. Descriptive and correlational statistics were applied followed by hierarchical regression. 131 nurses were recruited from a Spanish health organisation using random sampling.

Results Individualised consideration and intellectual stimulation were predictors of structural empowerment in a hierarchical regression of transformational leadership dimensions controlled by demographic variables (R²=0.467). In addition, intellectual stimulation was a predictor of engagement (R²=0.176).

Conclusion The results are the starting point for the design of an organisationwide educational intervention to increase the engagement of nurses and staff development.