title: Emotional intelligence and nursing performance among nursing students.
abstract: Some scholars have proposed that the educational preparation of nurses can be improved by incorporating emotional intelligence lessons into the nursing curricula. However, the relationship between emotional intelligence and nursing performance in nursing students is unknown. The purpose of the study was to examine this relationship among nursing students. A descriptive correlational design with non-probability sampling methods of 87 nursing students in a university setting was conducted. The variables of focus were emotional intelligence and nursing performance. Emotional intelligence was measured with the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). Nursing performance was measured using the Six Dimension Scale of Nursing Performance (6-D Scale). The sample was predominately Caucasian (91%), female (93%), mean age 24 years. The mean score for emotional intelligence was 0.53, SD ± 0.06 indicating moderate emotional intelligence. The mean score for nursing performance was 3.14, SD ± 0.40 indicating moderate nursing performance. Emotional intelligence was related to nursing performance. Four of the six nursing performance subscale scores were significantly correlated with the total emotional intelligence scores. Implications for nursing education and clinical practice are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Sacred Heart University, 5151 Park Avenue, Fairfield, CT 06825-1000, USA. beauvaisa@sacredheart.edu
authors.forename: Audrey M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Beauvais
authors.forename: Noreen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Eileen R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: O'Shea
authors.forename: Mary T Quinn
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Griffin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013338:Students, Nursing; D055815:Young Adult