Emotional Intelligence in Nurses and Emerging Trends: An Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

Aim: Determine the status of nursing literature regarding Emotional Intelligence. Background: Nurses work in emotionally charged environments, serving as frontline healthcare workers. Emotional Intelligence, a construct that emphasizes the evaluation and use of emotions, may be a valuable tool in the field of nursing. Method: A systematic literature review of the research on Emotional Intelligence, published between 2010 and 2017, in the nursing field was conducted. Results: 34 manuscripts were identified. A wide range of instruments (13) were used across the studies. The majority were cross-sectional descriptive studies (22), followed by longitudinal studies (3), experimental designs (3) and literature reviews/expert opinions (6). Four domains related to Emotional Intelligence were identified, namely, burnout, nursing leadership, workplace environment and quality of care. Most studies showed a positive effect of Emotional Intelligence on the nursing profession by protecting against burnout while improving leadership, workplace environment and quality of care. Conclusion: Emotional Intelligence positively affects the nursing profession by militating against four domains of the nursing field. A standardized approach to evaluating it in the nursing field is needed as are rigorous longitudinal and experimental designs to further delineate the benefits. Emotional Intelligence should become incorporated into the education of nurses and nurse leaders.