The Effectiveness of Emotional Intelligence-Driven End-of-Life Care Simulation for Nursing Students

Abstract

Background: End-of-life (EOL) care presents nursing students with emotional challenges that call for emotional competence; EOL care simulation helps in the examination of emotions. New approaches to debriefing models at EOL care simulation are needed to address emotional needs and promote positive outcomes. Method: A one-group pretest-post-test design was used to improve EI, empathy, and attitude towards care of the dying among 56 nursing students through an emotional intelligence-driven EOL care simulation (EI-EOL-SIM) containing an emotionally charged EOL scenario that was followed by debriefing with emotional intelligence (EI) abilities. Results: The participants’ levels of EI, empathy, and attitude toward care of the dying significantly improved after the intervention. Conclusions: EOL care simulation should include content on EI. Giving the students the opportunity to debrief with EI abilities helped them confront and express their emotions while improving their EI, empathy, and attitudes. The study has implications for education, clinical nursing, and other healthcare professionals.