There is a need for professional development opportunities for registered nurses undertaking leadership roles in care homes. This article examines the learning outcomes from a pilot career development programme for care home nurses, which was designed and delivered as part of a Florence Nightingale Foundation leadership scholarship. The six-month programme, consisting of one-day workshops, focused on four key competencies, one of which was to identify and consider potential pathways for career development in the sector. Fifteen nurses took part in the development programme. They contributed to the session discussions and activities by drawing on their professional experience. On completion, the nurses reported that they believed attending the programme would improve their practice and contribute towards any future career development. The findings indicate an increased confidence among some of the nurses who attended. The programme also had a positive effect on their professional self-image, with some reporting that it made them feel more like 'real nurses', who are proud to care for a vulnerable group in society.