The state of nursing science: reconceptualizing for the 21st century

Emotional intelligence: a review of the literature with specific focus on empirical and epistemological perspectives

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this literature review was to evaluate and discuss previous research on emotional intelligence with specific focus on empirical and epistemological perspectives.

BACKGROUND

The concept of emotional intelligence is derived from extensive research and theory about thoughts, feelings and abilities that, prior to 1990, were considered to be unrelated phenomena. Today, emotional intelligence attracts growing interest worldwide, contributing to critical reflection as well as to various educational, health and occupational outcomes.

METHOD

Systematic review.

FINDINGS

The findings revealed that the epistemological tradition of natural science is the most frequently used and that, therefore, few articles related to humanistic sciences or philosophical perspectives were found. There is no agreement as to whether emotional intelligence is an individual ability, non-cognitive skill, capability or competence. One important finding is that, regardless of the theoretical framework used, researchers agree that emotional intelligence embraces emotional awareness in relation to self and others, professional efficiency and emotional management. There have been some interesting theoretical frameworks that relate emotional intelligence to stress and mental health within different contexts. Emotional learning and maturation processes, i.e. personal growth and development in the area of emotional intelligence, are central to professional competence.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no doubt that the research on emotional intelligence is scarce and still at the developmental stage. Clinical questions pertaining to the nursing profession should be developed with focus on personal qualities of relevance to nursing practice. Different approaches are needed in order to further expand the theoretical, empirical and philosophical foundation of this important and enigmatic concept.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Emotional intelligence may have implications for health promotion and quality of working life within nursing. Emotional intelligence seems to lead to more positive attitudes, greater adaptability, improved relationships and increased orientation towards positive values.

Nursing shortage or nursing famine: looking beyond numbers?

There are numerous references in the nursing literature and in the popular press that offer description and commentary on the history, evolution, and future of the global nursing shortage. Authors express concerns about declining nursing numbers, nursing layoffs, diminishing student enrollments, faculty retirements, the aging workforce, and global recruitments. But what is missing in these articles and news alerts is a questioning about the substantive knowledge of nursing and what role this knowledge, or lack of, has in light of shrinking nursing resources. Of interest in this column are the meanings and messages that the nursing shortage has for nurses and for decision makers who will shape the direction of the nursing discipline. Issues connected with the global nursing shortage, or is it better thought of as a famine, are examined here in order to elucidate some points that may prove helpful for decisions of tomorrow.

The unrecognized paradigm shift in nursing: implications, problems, and possibilities

An important paradigm (or worldview) shift is occurring in science that affects the nature of nursing education, practice, and research. The shift from positivism to postmodernism and now to neomodernism has received little attention in US nursing and as such may forestall many opportunities related to such change. The nature of this paradigm shift and its effects on selected aspects of nursing education, practice, and research are described, and related implications, problems, and possibilities are explored. Neomodernism is discussed as one future for nursing that encompasses aspects of both positivism and postmodernism but yet goes beyond these to include important metanarratives as traditional values and beliefs of nursing. The work of Laudan and Lakatos are explored as supportive of this neomodernist approach.

Ambiguous opportunity: toiling for truth of nursing art and science

This article questions traditional boundaries between nursing art and nursing science and explores how nurses build knowledge and truth. A brief overview of familiar notions about nursing art is followed by questions that are meant to deepen understanding about nursing and the knowledge required for a discipline. Authors describe understanding as an event that heralds human creation of meaning and potential action. Art is then shown to be a way to enhance understanding and meaningful knowledge when woven with nursing theory to guide practice. Findings from Parse's research method are described as artistic expressions, and borders that have served to separate notions about nursing art and science are challenged. The hermeneutics of human becoming are presented as beacons for truth and understanding. Authors call for tolerance of ambiguity and openness to support dialogue and discovery.