Do Emotional Intelligence Effect on Communication Skills? An Application Among Nursing Students

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of emotional intelligence on communication skills. Method: This study’s application part has been implemented on the students of nursing division who receive education at a public university and data obtained from 323 individual have been analyzed. As data collection technique, survey has been used. In the analyses of data descriptive statistical methods, reliability analysis, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis have been used. Results: As a result of the analyses which have been carried out, correlations between sub-dimensions of emotional intelligence and communication skills are positive and they are on medium level. Moreover, sub-dimensions of emotional intelligence perception explain 44.5% of the total variance on communication skills. On the regression model, when t-test results concerning the significance of regression coefficient are analyzed, rise in the levels of participants’ self-emotion appraisal, other’s emotion appraisal, and use of emotion and regulation of emotion increase perception of communication skills statistically. Predictor variable’s order of importance occurs as: other’s emotional appraisal, use of emotion, self-emotion appraisal and regulation of emotion. Conclusion: This study is determined the effect of emotional intelligence on communication skills for nursing students. Designing education programs is recommended in respect of emotional intelligence and communication skills topics