Are you an emotionally intelligent nurse? Please honestly and critically assess yourself and answer the questions in the worksheet linked below.
- Think back on a time you were angry or upset about something at the clinical site. How did you react?
- Describe a time when understanding someone else’s perspective helped you understand them better.
- What motivates you when you have a job to do that you may not particularly enjoy doing?
Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions and those of others. In the nursing profession, EI is critical for building relationships with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare providers. Emotionally intelligent nurses possess skills such as empathy, self-awareness, self-regulation, social skills, and motivation.
To assess your emotional intelligence as a nurse, you can use a worksheet that contains questions related to different EI domains, such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, social skills, and motivation. Answering these questions honestly and critically can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and work on areas that need improvement.
When evaluating yourself, consider how you reacted during challenging situations at the clinical site. For example, think back to a time when you were angry or upset about something. Did you lash out at your colleagues or patients? Or did you take a moment to reflect on your emotions and respond in a professional and constructive manner? The latter response indicates higher levels of self-awareness and self-regulation.
Moreover, describe a time when you demonstrated empathy towards a patient or colleague by understanding their perspective. Empathy is an essential component of emotional intelligence and involves recognizing and sharing someone else’s emotions. Understanding another’s perspective can help you connect with them and provide better care.
Finally, reflect on what motivates you when you have a job to do that you may not particularly enjoy doing. A motivated nurse is more likely to perform well and provide quality care to their patients. Motivation can stem from intrinsic factors, such as a desire to help others or a sense of accomplishment, or extrinsic factors, such as recognition or rewards.
In conclusion, emotional intelligence is a crucial aspect of nursing practice. Assessing your emotional intelligence can help you identify areas that need improvement and enhance your ability to provide quality care to your patients. Remember, developing emotional intelligence is a continuous process that requires self-reflection, self-awareness, and a willingness to learn and grow.