Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence, Turnover Intention, and Resilience Among Emergency Nurses in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between emotional intelligence, resilience, and turnover intention among emergency nurses. Nurses who work in emergency departments face many challenges; they consider these to be the most stressful settings compared with other healthcare departments. Thus, nurses need to be emotionally intelligent and psychologically resilient. This study used a descriptive, cross-sectional approach to explore the relationships between study variables. It was conducted in four major hospitals in Taif City. The sample included all nurses working in the emergency departments of the selected hospitals. A sample of 202 male and female nurses was conveniently selected. The study relied on self-administered questionnaires with four sections measuring demographic characteristics, emotional intelligence, psychological resilience, and intention to leave work. The study results showed that nurses possessed a high level of emotional intelligence, excelling in understanding others' emotions and using emotions for self-motivation, while their abilities in regulating emotions and self-assessment were slightly lower. Results of the psychological resilience scale also demonstrated a good ability to manage stress and crises, but some cognitive aspects, such as maintaining a positive attitude, needed improvement. Regarding intention to leave, the results showed nurses were reluctant to stay in their jobs due to concerns about pay and working conditions, as well as a lack of administrative support and insufficient opportunities for professional development. The results showed that intention to leave and emotional intelligence were strongly negatively correlated (R² = -0.735, p < 0.00001). Also, there was a negative correlation between intention to leave and psychological resilience (R² = -0.735, p < 0.00001). However, psychological resilience and emotional intelligence were positively and significantly correlated (R² = 0.699, p < 0.00001). The results highlighted that mental health and professional factors play an important role in nurses' decisions to stay or leave. The study shed important light on the factors affecting nurses' decisions to stay in or leave their jobs by thoroughly examining emotional intelligence and psychological resilience. Nurses in emergency departments need to pay attention to their mental health and factors that could affect their intention to leave their jobs.