The Relationship among Emotional Intelligence, Optimistic Personality, and Intern Students’ Academic Achievement

Abstract

Background: The demand and changes in the healthcare environment raised the bar for nursing competency in the clinical setting, which affected the standard of nursing education. Therefore, emotional intelligence in conjunction with an optimistic personality significantly affects healthcare workers' mental function and capabilities to face the increasing workplace turbulence that consequently influences their academic achievement. Aim: The present study aimed to explore the relationship between emotional intelligence, optimistic personality, and intern nursing students' academic achievement. Design : A descriptive-correlational design was used in this study. Setting : This study was conducted at the Faculty of Nursing – Cairo University, Egypt. Sample : A convenience sample of 202 intern nursing students participated in the research study. Tools: three tools were utilized during the study; the first tool was a demographic and academic datasheet; The second tool was The Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT) and the third tool was The Life Orientation Test-Revised Scheier and Carver (LOT-R). Results: The current study results showed that there was a positive correlation between emotional intelligence, optimistic personality, and academic achievement. Conclusion : The study concluded that the majority of intern nursing students had high EI, optimism, and academic achievement. There is a positive significant correlation between EI, optimism, and academic achievement. Recommendations: This study recommended the initiation and sustaining of the improvement of the students ‘emotional intelligence and optimism within the scientific and community environment through proper strategies acting as a basic section of undergraduate and graduate nursing curricula to be essential in transitioning the students into the business world.