Emotional Intelligence of Nurses in Tertiary Hospitals in Dali, the People’s Republic of China

Emotional intelligence plays an important role in regulating the emotions induced by fatigue or stress and it is critically required in nurses who work in dynamic hospital environments. Nurses’ emotional intelligence helps them to create a positive work environment in various unfavorable situations in order to provide patients care in a supportive manner. The aim of this study was to assess nurses’ emotional intelligence in tertiary hospitals in Dali, the People’s Republic of China. The participants were 291 nurses working at two tertiary hospitals. Data were collected via the Demographic Data Form and the Chinese Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic and emotional intelligence data. Results showed that, generally, nurses perceived high levels of emotional intelligence. More specifically, nurses perceived high levels of emotional intelligence in themselves and moderate levels of emotional intelligence in others. They also perceived moderate levels for their ability to regulate their own emotions and for their use of emotion to facilitate performance. This study provides essential information regarding nurses’ emotional intelligence. Nurse managers should use this study’s results to develop strategies that assist their nurses’ efforts to improve emotional intelligence