Emotional Intelligence among Under-Graduate Nursing Students: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Introduction: Emotional Intelligence helps nurses to recognize and understand their own emotions and that of others. It significantly influences the performance of nursing students and thus the care of the patients. The objective of the study was to assess the emotional intelligence of under-graduate nursing students. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive research design was employed. Using total enumeration technique, 216 under-graduate nursing students were enrolled in the study. Ethical clearance was sought from Ethics Committee of National Institute of Nursing Education. Informed written consent was obtained from each subject. The data was collected using self-administered Dr. Ekta Sharma’s Emotional Intelligence Test (EIT). The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: About 81% of the nursing students obtained average scores, while 19.4% obtained high scores on EIT. The overall mean score on EIT was 207.92 + 14.95 with the range of 159 to 243. Domain wise, most of the nursing students obtained average scores. No significant association was found between EIT score and socio-demographic characteristics, family profile and variables such as reason for opting nursing profession, involvement in recreational activities, going outdoors with family and friends, visits to religious places, presence of support persons, satisfaction with nursing care provided to patients and self-perception. Conclusion: All the nursing students had some level of emotional intelligence. Programs to enhance emotional intelligence skills of nursing students should be organized periodically.