Factors Associated with the Emotional Intelligence Levels of Nurse Managers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to determine the emotional intelligence levels of nurse managers and the factors associated with these levels.

Method: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, searches were made on the PubMed, EMBASE (OVID), CINAHL (EBSCO), Web of Science, Ulusal Tez Merkezi, Türk Medline, and DergiPark search engines between December 7, 2020, and January 30, 2021, using the key phrases "nurse AND ("manager" OR "nurse manager" OR "administration") AND "emotional intelligence." In this study, the publications were reviewed in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guide checklist.

Results: The emotional intelligence levels of nurse managers are affected by some personal and institutional factors. Emotional intelligence is important in nurse managers. This study included 21 cross-sectional studies published between 2010 and 2020. In this study, it was concluded that the mean synthesized emotional intelligence level of nurse managers was 105.734±8.826, 18 variables about nurse managers and 2 variables about institutions/employees increased emotional intelligence levels, 2 variables about nurse managers and one variable about institutions/ employees reduced emotional intelligence levels, and 14 variables about nurse managers and 5 variables about institutions/employees did not affect emotional intelligence levels.

Conclusion: In this study, it was established that the emotional intelligence levels of nurse managers are influenced by several individual, institutional, and employee-related variables. By considering these variables in the selection of nurse managers, the improvement of their individual success levels, and the evaluation of these levels, the quality and cost-effectiveness of health services can be improved.