A study to assess the emotional competence among nursing students of selected nursing colleges in Maharashtra

Emotional competencies means ability to tackle emotional upsets at any point of time. The lack of intolerance over one’s emotions directly affects our personal and professional lives. Nursing students are young adults as they are understanding patients through their various learning skills they also need to understand the emotional competencies for better career outcome. A descriptive study was conducted among second year B.Sc Nursing students so as to assess the emotional competences after finishing first year and initiation of second year, assuming that first year clinical experience would improve the emotional competence.

1. To assess the emotional competence among nursing students.

Research Approach was quantitative approach; Research Design was descriptive; Target Population - Second Year B.Sc. Nursing students; Sampling techniques - stratified proportionate sampling; Sample size - 250.

Emotional competency assessment scale (ECAS) by M Suresh Kumar (2012) the tool consists of 35 items.

The findings of the study revealed that among second year Baccalaureate nursing students 42% average and 58% had high emotional competence. The highest emotional competence was observed in love i.e 84% and 80% students were sad, also 70% students were sympathetic and jealous.

To improve dimensions of emotional competence, emotional intelligence training program can be given so as to improve the affective domain of students. Emotional competences will not only make them healthy emotionally, but also they will be able to prosper personally and professionally.