The Perceived Types and Reasons for Missed Nursing Care Activities and the Levels of Emotional Intelligence Among...

Nurses' ability to understand and manage emotions may offer insight into why certain aspects of care are missed, alongside operational aspects, including staffing and workload. The current body of nursing literature has examined the structural and procedural dimensions of missed nursing care (MISSNCARE), frequently neglecting the significant influence of emotional factors in the provision of healthcare. Specifically, emotional intelligence (EI) may influence clinical decision-making by enhancing prioritization, stress management, and interpersonal communication, thereby reducing care omissions.

This study aimed to examine the relationships and differences between the perceived types and reasons for MISSNCARE and registered nurses' (RNs) levels of EI. In addition, predictors of MISSNCARE were identified.

A quantitative cross-sectional design was used in the current study. A convenience sample of 285 RNs was recruited from different hospitals. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to analyze the data.

The most frequent type of MISSNCARE activities was patient ambulation, and the most common reason for MISSNCARE was related to labor resources. Nurses perceived that they had higher-than-average levels of EI. A statistically significant, strong negative correlation was found between the perceived EI levels and types of MISSNCARE. The results also indicated that 42.90% of the variance in MISSNCARE was explained jointly by the role of EI, hospital type, gender, and marital status. Single and female nurses with higher EI levels and who worked in private hospitals reported lower incidences of MISSNCARE compared to their counterparts.

Nurses with higher levels of EI reported a lower incidence of MISSNCARE. Future research should consider more robust methods to enhance a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between MISSNCARE and nurses' EI. The findings underscored the potential for strategic improvement in EI as a means to reduce instances of MISSNCARE and enhance the overall quality of patient care.