One of the determinants of intelligence is through the use of IQ tests. Emotional intelligence is one of the seven types of intelligence that can be assessed using these kinds of tests (McQueen, 2004). Emotional Intelligence Quotient can also be used to refer to a person’s ability to be able to recognize, evaluate, and even manage feelings and emotions of his own or of another person. Emotional Intelligence is commonly used in different fields of profession to be able to identify particular similarities and differences when it comes to personal and other person’s emotions. Moreover, information about one’s own feelings and emotions can help in understanding and guiding thoughts and actions (Salovey and Mayer, 1990).
There are five elements of emotional intelligence namely: self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, social awareness, and social skills. Self-awareness refers to one’s ability to know personal emotions and their effects, evaluate one’s strengths and weaknesses, and discern one’s value and competencies. On the other hand, self-regulation refers to one’s ability to control and manage any disruptive behaviors, maintain righteousness and dependability, accept responsibility, adapt to dynamic changes of situations, and create new and interesting ideas. Self-motivation can be described as a person’s ability to set and achieve goals, connect and establish relationships with subordinates, other institutions, and organizations, be alert when dealing with opportunities, and to continuously strive for goals regardless of the obstacles and problems along the way. Another element is social awareness which can be defined as one’s ability to empathize with other people, direct and dedicate service with other people, help others develop themselves, and accommodate diversity within the organization. Lastly, social skills refers to a person’s ability to affect, influence, communicate, lead, connect, cooperate, and collaborate with other people, institutions, and other organizations (Ohio State, n.d.).
It is important for nurses to use emotional intelligence when dealing with patients because the current definition of patient care already includes care concept and not only quality care. Care concepts include a health care professional’s ability to respect the decisions and goals of patients and to fulfill the needs of the patients may it be emotional, social, or spiritual. Emotional Intelligence in the nursing practice is important because it allows nurses to better understand the response of patients to certain treatments (Dawn Freshwater and Theodore Stickley, 2004). Moreover, studies have also shown that emotional intelligence of nurses greatly lessen the stress and negative consequences of different diseases and procedures (Montes-Berges and Augusto, 2007). In addition to these benefits, emotional intelligence have also been proven to improve patient satisfaction and outcomes, positive attitudes towards patient care, strengthened relationships, and even trust between patients and health care professionals (McQueen, 2004).
These benefits can greatly help in my DNP-nursing practice because I will be handling elderly patients which have been known as more sensitive to emotional and social needs. Thus, it is important for me to know the different elements of emotional intelligence to be able to provide not only quality care but concept care to my patients. Also, since elderly have been classified as a vulnerable group, it is important to consider their social, emotional, and spiritual needs along with their personal decisions and goals to be able to help increase patient outcomes and patient satisfaction. By correctly applying and using emotional intelligence when dealing with elderly patients, I will be able to lessen the stress and negative consequences felt by the patients.
References
Dean Freshwater and Theodore Stickley. (2004). The Heart of The Art: Emotional Intelligence in Nurse Education. Nurse Inquiry 11(2):91-98.
Montes-Berges and Augusto. (2007). Exploring the relationship between perceived emotional intelligence, coping, social support, and mental health in nursing students. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 14(2):163-171.
McQueen, A.C.H. (2004). Emotional intelligence in nursing work. Journal of Advance Nursing 47(1): 101-108.
Ohio State. (n.d.). Emotional Intelligence for Nurses. Ohio State College of Nursing: A career services resources.
Salovey, P. and Mayer, J.D. (1990). Emotional intelligence. Imagination, Cognition, and Personality 9: 185-211.
