Emotional Intelligence and Nursing Student Leadership

Abstract

The purpose of this mixed method, exploratory study is to measure the impact of a peer coaching program on the measured Emotional Intelligence (EI) of a group of nursing student leaders. The Student Ambassador Program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s School of Nursing is an opportunity for nursing students to build leadership skills and foster professional relationships in order to become nursing leaders. Nursing students will be entering the profession during a period of unprecedented change. It is anticipated that senior nurse leaders may soon retire leaving a gap. Participation in the study was offered to nurses in the Student Ambassador program. Students who agreed to participate received instruction on EI and its importance in leadership. Participants then took a pre intervention EI test (The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, v2) in order to obtain a baseline EI ability score. Students then participated in a series of peer coaching sessions across a four-month period. Participants then took a post intervention MSCEIT test, and were also given a qualitative survey. The analysis of the paired sample t-test showed that total group EI scores did not statistically differ from pre to posttest, t(8) = .036 > .05. Eighty percent of participants, however, reported perceived changes in EI ability as a result of the intervention. Additionally, ninety percent reported that peer coaching was beneficial to their leadership development. This study and its findings contribute to the body of EI literature and research on nursing education and leadership development.