title: Identifying emotional intelligence skills of Turkish clinical nurses according to sociodemographic and professional variables.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to identify the emotional intelligence skills of Turkish clinical nurses according to sociodemographic and professional variables.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Emotional intelligence is "the ability of a person to comprehend self-emotions, to show empathy towards the feelings of others, and to control self-emotions in a way that enriches life." Nurses with a higher emotional intelligence level offer more efficient and professional care, and they accomplish more in their social and professional lives.
  
  
  METHODS
  We designed a descriptive cross-sectional study. The Introductory Information Form and the Bar-On emotional intelligence Inventory were used to collect data between 20th June and 20th August 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted with 312 nurses from 37 hospitals located within the borders of the metropolitan municipality in Ankara.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between emotional intelligence scores of the nurses according to demographic variables such as age, gender, marital status, having children. Thus, sociodemographic factors did not appear to be key factors, but some professional variables did. Higher total emotional intelligence scores were observed in those who had 10 years or longer experience, who found oneself successful in professional life, who stated that emotional intelligence is an improvable skill and who previously received self-improvement training. Interpersonal skills were higher in those with a graduate degree and in nurses working in polyclinics and paediatric units.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate which groups require improvement in emotional intelligence skills and which skills need improvement. Additionally, these results provide knowledge and create awareness about emotional intelligence skills of nurses and the distribution of these skills according to sociodemographic and professional variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of emotional intelligence improvement programmes targeting the determined clinical nursing groups by nursing administrations can help the increase in emotional intelligence.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nilgün
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kahraman
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Duygu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hiçdurmaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009740:Nursing Staff; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adaptability; coping; emotional intelligence; emotions; interpersonal skills; nursing