Emotional intelligence and nursing leadership: the effect on nurses' motivation and job satisfaction

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Great leaders suppress our behavior, and activate the best version of us, according to Goleman. One view is because they have the ability to speak to the heart and emotion, another view is because they influence a person's actions and behavior in the way they speak, react and deal with situations. A criterion for a successful career is not only the intelligence index, but also the Emotional Intelligence index. The nursing profession makes the use of emotional intelligence an absolute necessity due to the complexity of the profession itself linked to the physical and psychological exhaustion of health professionals. The nursing leadership can be the main vehicle that drives the behavior of the employees, evaluates their skills, capabilities and their development prospects. Purpose: The purpose of this review is to map to what extent Emotional Intelligence affects the way nursing administration is practiced and if it is related to the motivation and job satisfaction of nurses.

Methods: A systematic literature review was carried out, in electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Iatrotek), using the Prisma method. The keywords were used, "emotional intelligence", "nursing leadership", "nurses", "motivation", "job satisfaction" and predefined study inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Then, the collected studies were analyzed and evaluated. Results: In the present review 18 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included. The results showed that the contribution of EI in relation to the leadership style chosen by nursing management executives is decisive. In addition, the relationship of emotional intelligence as a balancing factor in professional burnout and its necessity for the satisfaction, development and above all the motivation of the nursing staff was captured.

Conclusions: Human resources are the heart of health systems, so it is considered necessary to make rational use of their skills and abilities. Nurse managers have a direct impact on the activation and motivation of nursing staff. As a brake on smooth operation they must take steps to create a healthy work environment so that through it they can communicate the vision and goals of the organization.

Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Nursing Management, Nurses, Motivation, Job Satisfaction, Job Performance.