Using King's interacting systems theory to link emotional intelligence and nursing practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing Theory
• Psychology
• Healthcare Education

Background:

• King's Interacting Systems Theory (IST) provides a broad nursing framework.
• Emotional Intelligence (EI) is defined as the ability to perceive, understand, and regulate emotions.
• EI skills are crucial for effective interpersonal interactions and problem-solving.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a theoretical foundation integrating King's IST with EI.
• To emphasize EI's role in enabling nurses to provide holistic patient care.
• To explore how EI enhances nurse-patient communication and interactions.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis and integration of existing nursing and EI frameworks.
• Examination of the four branches of EI abilities: perceiving, assimilating, understanding, and regulating emotions.
• Discussion of how EI contributes to holistic care within the nursing process.

Main Results:

• King's IST necessitates EI for effective nursing practice.
• EI provides a mechanism for understanding and incorporating emotions in nurse-patient interactions.
• Developing EI skills enhances nurses' ability to provide comprehensive care.

Conclusions:

• Integrating EI into King's IST framework strengthens the theoretical basis for holistic nursing.
• Nurses' EI is essential for managing complex emotional dynamics in patient care.
• Further exploration of EI's application in nursing education and practice is recommended.