Objective: To synthesize the evidence that explored resilience and emotional intelligence in undergraduate nursing students. Background: Nursing is a demanding profession that offers unique challenges. Emotional intelligence and resilience are traits that can allow nursing students to effectively respond to challenges in professional placements and future practice. Design: An integrative review incorporating both quantitative and qualitative research designs. Data Source: Studies in the English language were identified through a systematic search in electronic databases: CINAHL, PubMed, ERIC, Scopus and PsycINFO. No restriction dates were used and search was up until November 1, 2017. Review Methods: Methodological quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for qualitative research and the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for quantitative research. Data analysis was conducted based on the integrative review method. Results: Fourteen articles were included. A positive relationship was found between resilience and performance in undergraduate studies including professional experience placements. While some studies observed an important role for emotional intelligence for nursing students, there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that emotional intelligence improves nursing students’ communication, academic success and retention. Conclusion: Developing skills, such as resilience, as part of nursing programs allows students to be better prepared to deal with the unique challenges in nursing practice.

INTRODUCTION

Traditional intelligence testing is often used as a predictor of success in life and in work. However, intelligence tests scores do not apply equally in all occupations and may have limited predictive capability of success particularly in domains requiring significant cooperation and interpersonal interaction. A large body of research has demonstrated the importance of social and emotional abilities and competence in influencing judgements and actions and thereby enhancing work success (Benson, Ploeg, & Brown, 2010). Emotional intelligence (EI), sometimes known as emotional-social intelligence, is described as an aggregate ‘‘of interrelated emotional and social competencies, skills and facilitators that determine how effectively we understand and express ourselves, understand others and relate to them, and cope with daily demands” (Bar-On, 2005, p3). EI guides cognition and cognition drives effective decision-making that can have an impact on patients and health professionals alike. Augusto-Landa and Montes-Berges (2009) describe EI as the variable that mediates psychological health and stress and allows the building of therapeutic relationships. EI allows for better adaptability in new situations and research has demonstrated a link to higher organisational performance, teamwork and conflict management (Barkhordari & Rostambeygi, 2013). As nursing involves a dynamic workplace requiring teamwork and interactions with diverse patient need, EI may provide an important element for success. Resilience is a quality closely related to EI, as both attenuate psychological distress (Benson et al., 2010; Min et al., 2013) which have important implications for life and work success in the face of obstacles. Resilience is considered a capacity to adjust to adversity, maintain an equilibrium, retain control and deal with external stressors such as conflict (Pines et al., 2014). As the clinical environment is often challenging, resilience may be an important requirement for nurses. EI and resilience research has grown in nursing over recent times due to the perceived links to successful, productive and satisfying nursing careers.