KADRİYE ÖZKOL KILINÇ, ÇİĞDEM TORUN KILIÇ, HAVVA ÖZTÜRK
Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences - 2025;15(1):110-116
Objective: To determine the effect of nursing students’ emotional intelligence levels on their attitudes toward the nursing profession. Methods: In this study involving 746 nursing students from the nursing department of a university’s faculty of health sciences, a specific sample selection was not employed; instead, an attempt was made to reach the entire population. The study was conducted with 586 (78.55%) students. The data was collected between March and April 2021 using the information form, Emotional Intelligence Test, and Attitude Scale for Nursing Profession. Results: The nursing students’ Emotional Intelligence Test mean score was 140.08±18.06, and their Attitude Scale for Nursing Profession mean score was 4.24±0.30. Males (t=-2.856; p=.004<.01; d=0.324; η2=0.014), those who chose the nursing profession willingly (t=5.272; p=.001<.01; d=0.436; η2=0.045) and satisfied with being nursing students (t=2.851; p=.005<.01; d=0.343; η2=0.014) had higher emotional intelligence total scores. Those who choose the profession willingly (t=13.099; p=.001<.01; d=1.084; η2=0.227) and were satisfied with being a nursing student (t=10.691; p=.001<.01; d=1.286; η2=0.164) had higher attitude toward the profession total scores. Emotional intelligence levels explained their attitudes toward the nursing profession by 16.6% (R2=0.166; F=117.176; p=.001<.01). Conclusion: The results showed that nursing students had average levels of emotional intelligence and a positive attitude toward the nursing profession. Those who chose the profession and became nursing students had higher emotional intelligence and more positive professional attitudes. Emotional intelligence increases the attitude level of nursing students toward the nursing profession overall. Therefore, to strengthen their positive attitudes towards the profession, nursing students should be encouraged to participate in scientific and social activities that will improve their emotional intelligence levels.
