Ability emotional intelligence of nurse managers in the Midwestern United States

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the emotional intelligence (EI) and examine the corresponding demographic characteristics of front-line Nurse Managers in acute care settings. METHODS: This quantitative descriptive study was conducted in eight acute care hospitals in the Midwestern United States. The Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) was used to measure the EI of 87 front-line Nurse Managers. Demographic characteristics of the participants were captured on a second tool, the Nurse Manager Demographic Characteristics questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between the perceiving and using branches of the model and total EI score and nurses certified in a specialty. No significant correlations were found between EI and graduate education, age, years in management, percentage of time in management or number of direct reports. Considerations for future research are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Opportunity exists to develop EI in front-line Nurse Managers.