Emotional Intelligence Among Nursing Students of Selected College of Pokhara

Abstract

Emotional intelligence is an essential component in nursing education and practice as nurses frequently encounter emotionally demanding situations while caring for patients. This study aimed to assess emotional intelligence among nursing students and to identify its association with socio-demographic and behavioral variables. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used among 137 Bsc. nursing students at Pokhara. Complete enumeration sampling techniquewas used. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic and behavioral variables along with the standardized Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 20. The findings revealed that 62.0% of the respondents had high emotional intelligence while the rest had average emotional intelligence. The mean total emotional intelligence score was 123.99±10.20. Among the emotional intelligence domains, perception of emotion had the highest mean score (35.69±3.48). The study further found no statistically significant association of emotional intelligence with age, gender, religion, academic year, family type, parental education, sleeping hours, diet, exercise, and health problems (p>0.05). This study concluded that the nursing institutions should emphasize emotional intelligence enhancement strategies through educational and counseling programs to strengthen nursing students’ professional and interpersonal competencies.