title: Developing emotional intelligence in student nurse leaders: a mixed methodology study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this mixed method, exploratory study was to measure the impact of a peer coaching program on the measured emotional intelligence (EI) of a group of student nurse leaders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participation in the study was offered to nurses in the Student Ambassador program. Students who consented received instruction on EI and its importance in leadership. Participants then took a preintervention EI test (The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso EI Test, version 2 [MSCEIT]) to obtain a baseline EI ability score. Students then participated in a series of peer coaching sessions across a semester. Participants then completed a postintervention MSCEIT test, and also a qualitative survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis of the paired samplet-test showed that there was not a statistically significant difference in the total group EI scores from pre to posttest,t(8) = 0.036 >0.05; however, 80% of participants reported perceived changes in EI ability due to the intervention and 90% reported that peer coaching was beneficial to their leadership development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study contributes to the body of EI literature and research on nursing education and leadership development.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
authors.forename: Heather M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Szeles
keywords: Emotional intelligence; Mayer Salovey Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test; emotional intelligence development; nursing education; nursing students; peer coaching