title: A reflective framework to foster emotionally intelligent leadership in nursing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To propose a reflective framework based on the perspective of emotional intelligence (EI) in nurse leadership literature.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Emotional intelligence is a self-development construct aimed at enhancing the management of feelings and interpersonal relationships, which has become increasingly popular in nurse leadership. Reflection is an established means to foster learning. Integrating those aspects of emotional intelligence pertinent to nurse leadership into a reflective framework might support the development of nurse leadership in a practical context.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 22 articles, retrieved via electronic databases (Ovid/Medline, BNI, psycArticles, Zetoc and CINAHL) and published between January 1996 and April 2009, was analysed in a qualitative descriptive content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three dimensions that characterise emotional intelligence leadership in the context of nursing - the nurse leader as a 'socio-cultural architect', as a 'responsive carer' and as a 'strategic visionary' - emerged from the analysis. To enable practical application, these dimensions were contextualised into a reflective framework.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Emotional intelligence skills are regarded as essential for establishing empowering work environments in nursing. A reflective framework might aid the translation of emotional intelligence into a real-world context.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proposed framework may supplement learning about emotional intelligence skills and aid the integration of emotional intelligence in a clinical environment.
authors.affiliation: CAPHRI - School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heckemann
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Family Medicine and Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI - School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jos M G A
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Schols
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Health Care and Nursing Science, CAPHRI - School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ruud J G
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Halfens
mesh_terms: D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: emotional intelligence; reflective framework; reflective practice; resonant leadership