Empowering Future Nurses: Integrating Emotional Intelligence Into Nursing Education

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Emotional Intelligence (EI)
• Active Learning Strategies (ALS)

Background:

• EI development is crucial for nursing interpersonal and emotional competencies, impacting resilience and professional identity.
• Traditional nursing education often overlooks EI development in favor of technical skills.
• ALS focusing on EI can address this gap in undergraduate nursing curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the integration of ALS for developing EI in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students.
• To examine the use of reflection, simulations, and communication exercises within a BSN curriculum.
• To apply Goleman's EI model and Kolb's experiential learning cycle for EI competency development.

Main Methods:

• Integration of reflective practices.
• Implementation of emotionally focused simulations.
• Inclusion of communication-based exercises within the BSN curriculum.

Main Results:

• Strengthened emotional awareness, communication skills, and self-regulation in students.
• Provided practical tools supporting professional identity and resilience.
• Facilitated the delivery of person-centered care.

Conclusions:

• Embedding EI through ALS in nursing education cultivates essential competencies for compassionate and effective patient care.
• This integrated model is adaptable to various educational environments.
• Fosters nurses capable of delivering safe, effective, and person-centered care.