RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Emotional intelligence is often described as the ability to know own emotions and to be aware of other emotions. The emotional intelligence of critical care nurses is a necessary competence for work performance. The aim of this review is to map the evidence on emotional intelligence of nurses working in this specific context. METHODS: Scoping review based on Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance. Nurses as a population (P), critical care as a context (C) and emotional intelligence as a concept (C) were considered. Search was conducted using databases and electronic platforms such as CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE complete, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Nursing & Allied Health Collection: Comprehensive (via EBSCOhost), MedLine (via PubMed), SCOPUS and Web of Science. From a total of 40 citations, nine articles have been included in the review. RESULTS: The 9 articles emphasise the relevance of emotional intelligence in the professional experience, in emotional exhaustion and burnout prevention, in enhancing the safety culture of the sick, in contributing to organisational citizenship behaviour, and in resilience. CONCLUSION: Emotional intelligence is a core competency of critical care nurses, with professional, personal and organisational implications.
