Emotional intelligence has become an increasingly important aspect of nursing today and even more so in the field of older adult care. Defined as the "ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use one's own and others' emotions," emotional intelligence nourishes a good level of empathy, effective communication, and inter-relational skills-skills that are especially important in caregiving (da Silva, 2022; Reis da Silva, 2024a). With the ageing of the population, the need for nurses who are able not only to respond to physical needs but also to emotional and psychological needs is becoming increasingly urgent. Older adult care does pose emotional issues in ways that might be different from younger patients. Feelings of loneliness, depression, or anxiety are emotions that most older adults will have, especially in settings of long-term care where social isolation can be common (Reis da Silva, 2024b). These will often go unseen or unsatisfied in healthcare situations mainly concerned with the physical aspects of a patient's condition. A nurse who displays an unusually high degree of emotional intelligence will obviously be better equipped, able to recognise and respond to such emotional issues, thus greatly increasing quality care for the patient (Reis da Silva, 2024c). The emotionally intelligent nurse, for example, would immediately be aware of the slight signals of discomfort manifested in changes of tone of voice and facial expressions, quickly acting in a compassionate manner to relieve the patient's discomfort.
It is here that nursing older adults can be so complicating: words are not always used to convey emotions, and physical symptoms can mask the presence of a psychological problem. Emotional intelligence provides the nurse with an understanding of non-verbal cues and allows the construction of a holistic view of the patient's well-being. An emotionally intelligent nurse would use active listening skills and empathy to establish rapport with a patient, which is of particular value for an older adult who may be rendered vulnerable, frightened, or insecure about the life process. Comprehension emotionally might create a facilitative and supportive atmosphere that will significantly enhance patient satisfaction and in turn health outcomes.
Nursing education now takes into its framework training in emotional intelligence to better equip nurses for emotionally challenging situations. By developing emotional intelligence, nursing professionals will be better prepared to establish trusting relationships, focus on interventions that match both emotional and physical needs, and hence provide an even more compassionate and patient-centred care. This is especially true in the care of older adults, where emotional and psychological well-being plays a key role in enhancing the quality of life in their later years. It, therefore, forms one of the most vital soft skills and an important ingredient in the rendering of efficient and compassionate nursing care.
References:
da Silva, T. H. R (2022). Emotional awareness and emotional intelligence. British journal of community nursing, 27(12), 573–574. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2022.27.12.573
Reis da Silva Tiago (2024) The Value of Emotional Intelligence in Midwifery: Enhancing Care and Outcomes for Mothers and Infants through Sustainable
Development Goals and Leadership. Journal of Womens Healthcare & Midwifery Research. SRC/JWHMR-133. Link: https://www.onlinescientificresearch.com/articles/the-value-of-emotional-intelligence-in-midwifery-enhancing-care-and-outcomes-for-mothers-and-infants-through-sustainable-developme.pdf
da Silva TR (2024) Gender Equity In Healthcare: Integrating Emotional Intelligence To Achieve The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. J Comm Med and Pub Health Rep 5(12): https://doi.org/10.38207/JCMPHR/2024/JUL051202106
da Silva T. H. R. (2024). Loneliness in older adults. British journal of community nursing, 29(2), 60–66. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2024.29.2.60
It is here that nursing older adults can be so complicating: words are not always used to convey emotions, and physical symptoms can mask the presence of a psychological problem. Emotional intelligence provides the nurse with an understanding of non-verbal cues and allows the construction of a holistic view of the patient's well-being. An emotionally intelligent nurse would use active listening skills and empathy to establish rapport with a patient, which is of particular value for an older adult who may be rendered vulnerable, frightened, or insecure about the life process. Comprehension emotionally might create a facilitative and supportive atmosphere that will significantly enhance patient satisfaction and in turn health outcomes.
Nursing education now takes into its framework training in emotional intelligence to better equip nurses for emotionally challenging situations. By developing emotional intelligence, nursing professionals will be better prepared to establish trusting relationships, focus on interventions that match both emotional and physical needs, and hence provide an even more compassionate and patient-centred care. This is especially true in the care of older adults, where emotional and psychological well-being plays a key role in enhancing the quality of life in their later years. It, therefore, forms one of the most vital soft skills and an important ingredient in the rendering of efficient and compassionate nursing care.
References:
da Silva, T. H. R (2022). Emotional awareness and emotional intelligence. British journal of community nursing, 27(12), 573–574. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2022.27.12.573
Reis da Silva Tiago (2024) The Value of Emotional Intelligence in Midwifery: Enhancing Care and Outcomes for Mothers and Infants through Sustainable
Development Goals and Leadership. Journal of Womens Healthcare & Midwifery Research. SRC/JWHMR-133. Link: https://www.onlinescientificresearch.com/articles/the-value-of-emotional-intelligence-in-midwifery-enhancing-care-and-outcomes-for-mothers-and-infants-through-sustainable-developme.pdf
da Silva TR (2024) Gender Equity In Healthcare: Integrating Emotional Intelligence To Achieve The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. J Comm Med and Pub Health Rep 5(12): https://doi.org/10.38207/JCMPHR/2024/JUL051202106
da Silva T. H. R. (2024). Loneliness in older adults. British journal of community nursing, 29(2), 60–66. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2024.29.2.60
