The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI), Resilience Quotient (RQ), and Adaptability during Clinical Practice among Bachelor of Nursing Students in the Lower Northern Region.

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey research aimed to examine the levels of emotional intelligence, resilience quotient, and adaptability during clinical practice among undergraduate nursing students, as well as to determine the relationships among these variables. The sample comprised 349 third- and fourth-year Bachelor of Nursing Science students from the lower northern region, selected through multistage random sampling. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Emotional Intelligence Assessment by the Department of Mental Health, the Resilience Quotient Assessment by the Department of Mental Health, and an Adaptability during Clinical Practice questionnaire developed by the researchers. The content validity index of the adaptability questionnaire was 0.86, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for the three instruments were 0.92, 0.89, and 0.90, respectively. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, were used to analyze general information and levels of emotional intelligence, resilience quotient, and adaptability. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was employed to examine the relationships among the variables. The results indicated that emotional intelligence (x̅ = 169.23, SD = 18.61) and resilience quotient (x̅ = 66.40, SD = 8.21) were at normal levels, while adaptability during clinical practice was at a high level (x̅ = 3.03, SD = 0.39). Emotional intelligence and resilience quotient were positively correlated with adaptability during clinical practice (rs = .74, p < .01 and rs = .76, p < .01, respectively). These findings suggest that promoting emotional intelligence and resilience quotient among undergraduate nursing students may enhance their ability to adapt effectively during clinical practicum in hospital settings.