Background: Emotional intelligence is popular in literature as an important characteristic for successful leaders.
Health care is changing rapidly and leaders should use modern models of leadership focused on creating relationships based on trust. Nurse leaders who exhibit characteristics of emotional intelligence enhance staff organizational skills and effectiveness of their work.
Aim: This paper aims to present an analysis of the literature on Emotional Intelligence and explore the implications of it for the nursing leadership.
Method: A literature search was undertaken using international databases (MEDLINE, PUBMED) covering the period 1998 to 2008. A hand-search of relevant journals added to the data.
Conclusions: Emotionally intelligent nurse leaders who are self-aware, supervisory skillful, capable of address the emotional side of their staff can develop strong synergized teams, necessary for the survival during this changing healthcare landscape.
Key words: Emotional intelligence, nursing administration, competence, leadership
