Emotional Intelligence in The Workplace Among Staff Nurses And Faculty Members

Abstract

Background: The concept of emotional intelligence encompasses various skills, including emotional awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation. This study aims to assess the emotional intelligence in the workplace among staff nurses and faculty members.

Methodology:  This descriptive cross-sectional study included 180 participants, comprising 140 staff nurses from SRMGH and 40 faculty members from SRM College of Nursing, recruited using a convenient sampling technique. Inclusion criteria required at least six months of work experience and written informed consent. Employees on long-term leave or with psychiatric or cognitive impairments were excluded.

Results: The study revealed that the findings indicate that a significant proportion of participants exhibit a moderate level of emotional intelligence (61.11%), reflecting a balanced ability to understand and manage emotions. The majority also report a moderate level of job performance (55.56%) and job satisfaction (61.11%), suggesting they are reasonably efficient and content with their work. However, many participants show a low level of well-being (45.00%), pointing to potential challenges in achieving optimal mental, physical, and emotional health. Regarding well-being items, most participants agree on positive aspects, such as experiencing happiness most of the time (38.89%) and feeling satisfied with their life (33.33%). However, a significant proportion expressed disagreement on life satisfaction (27.78%), indicating mixed sentiments about their overall well-being. The analysis further reveals that the strongest correlation exists between job performance and job satisfaction (r = 0.75, p = 0.001). Emotional intelligence is also significantly correlated with job satisfaction (r = 0.70, p = 0.001) and well-being (r = 0.60, p = 0.005), highlighting the interconnectedness of these factors.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the findings of this study highlight the importance of emotional intelligence in the workplace among staff nurses. The moderate levels of emotional intelligence, job performance, and job satisfaction, coupled with the concerning levels of well-being, suggest a need for targeted interventions to enhance emotional intelligence and overall mental health.