Emotional Intelligence in Nursing: The Heart of the Art – A Review

Emotional labour has long been recognized as a necessary part of nursing practice. Nurses often provide care for patients and families who are suffering and where emotions are heightened. Emotions play an important role in the relationship and communication between nurses, patients and families. Nowadays nursing is becoming more and more technical. The rational mind and the emotional mind need to be balanced partners for the nurse-patient relationship to be harmonious. Every nursing intervention is affected by the master aptitude of emotional intelligence. People who are emotionally intelligent see themselves as more optimistic, as they are better able to understand, manipulate, and regulate their emotions. This paper reflects on how emotional intelligence contributes immensely to the art and craft of nursing which is a practice discipline.