Exploring the Importance of Emotional Intelligence Training Programme on Soft Skills: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to develop an emotional intelligence (EI) training programme and test its effectiveness on soft skills amongst nursing students. Methods: A randomised controlled trial was used in this study. The study enrolled a total of 100 nursing students from Saraswati Nursing Institute in Kurali. A total of 50 participants were chosen at random to a 5-day, 1.5-h EI training programme (EITP), while the other 50 were assigned to a control group that received no intervention. The EI scale and the Soft Skills Assessment Scale were used to examine the intervention’s impact. At the beginning (pre-test) and ending (post-test) of the research, the effectiveness of the training programme in the experimental and control groups was assessed. The CONSORT statement was used to perform this research. Results: The post-intervention mean soft skills score was higher amongst nursing students in the experimental group than in the control group, i.e. P ≤ 0.05. Conclusion: EITP is an effective tool for improving soft skills. Thus, the relevance of soft skills was underlined in this study, and applying the EITP programme may be the best approach for improving soft skills amongst nursing students.