Emotional Intelligence and Clinical Performance in Senior Undergraduate Nursing Students

Statement of Problem
 Traditionally nursing schools and universities have been shown to over accentuate academia and
 leave out emotional intelligence competencies ("Emotional Intelligence," 2007). This may be
 important in a service based profession such as nursing when the profession relies on the
 qualities of emotional intelligence, these qualities recognized as self awareness, self regulation,
 self motivation, empathy, and well developed social skills (Goleman, 2006). No prior published
 studies have been conducted on nursing students and the relationship that the emotional
 intelligent score has on clinical performance. However, there have been studies on established
 nurses that confirm a high emotional intelligence score is associated with better clinical
 performance and patient outcomes.
 
 Sources of Data
 Data will be collected from a convenience sample of traditional and accelerated nursing students
 currently enrolled at California State University San Marcos. Students will be asked to complete
 a paper survey of the emotional intelligence test, fill out demographic data to be used to describe
 the population, and be asked to permit the Principle Investigator access to clinical performance
 scores.
 
 Conclusions Reached
 Emotional Intelligence and Clinical Performance showed no statistically significantly correlation
 in this study, r(66)=.233, p=.056. Other variables also had no significant interactions.

Statement of Problem Traditionally nursing schools and universities have been shown to over accentuate academia and leave out emotional intelligence competencies ("Emotional Intelligence," 2007). This may be important in a service based profession such as nursing when the profession relies on the qualities of emotional intelligence, these qualities recognized as self awareness, self regulation, self motivation, empathy, and well developed social skills (Goleman, 2006). No prior published studies have been conducted on nursing students and the relationship that the emotional intelligent score has on clinical performance. However, there have been studies on established nurses that confirm a high emotional intelligence score is associated with better clinical performance and patient outcomes. Sources of Data Data will be collected from a convenience sample of traditional and accelerated nursing students currently enrolled at California State University San Marcos. Students will be asked to complete a paper survey of the emotional intelligence test, fill out demographic data to be used to describe the population, and be asked to permit the Principle Investigator access to clinical performance scores. Conclusions Reached Emotional Intelligence and Clinical Performance showed no statistically significantly correlation in this study, r(66)=.233, p=.056. Other variables also had no significant interactions.