Ms Lee Peng Lui

Research project: Emotional intelligence and compassion in trainee nursing associates

Abstract

Report of poor nursing care in recent years and several NHS scandals (Francis Report and Winterbourne Report) have raised the question of whether compassion is lacking in nursing in modern times. Increasing work pressures, under resourcing, stress, staffing issues and toxic organisational cultures are some of the factors that impact on nurses ability to be compassion. Emotional labour in nursing is a well recognised concept that could impair nurses' ability to perceive and recognise emotions, and suffering, in others. Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify, recognise, understand and manage one's and other's emotions. Studies have shown a relationship between emotional intelligence and caring and empathy. The study will explore the relationship between emotional intelligence and compassion.