The Effect of Emotional Intelligence on Communication Skills of Nursing Students

Introduction: With emotional intelligence, man regulates his life and takes less risky behaviors. A nurse does not only need knowledge and skills; it is also important to deal with different people. Emotional intelligence helps people to think harder under better conditions and have more effective communication with others. Therefore, this study examines the effect of emotional intelligence training on improving communication skills among nursing students of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The present study was a semi-experimental design with pre and post design. The statistical population of the study consisted of 96 nursing students of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences selected by random sampling method in 2016. The communication skills were measured before and after education using the Quinn Livestock Communication Skills Questionnaire over the course of 8 consecutive weeks in 90-minute sessions. To analyze the data, these tests were used: mean and standard deviation, paired t-test and independent t-test. The SPSS software was used to analyze the data. Results: The mean of self-reported score of Communication Skills of students before education was 111.44 and after education was 123.30. The highest score related to the skill component was to receive and send the message and the lowest score related to the skill of communication with decisiveness. There was a positive and significant relationship between emotional intelligence and communication skills and its components (P <0.01). Findings showed that emotional intelligence training had a significant effect on Improving communication skills and its components (P <0.01). Conclusion: Considering that increased emotional intelligence is an effective way to improve the communication skills of nursing students, it is suggested that emotional intelligence education be considered in the field of medical sciences.