Abstract

  Introduction: Implementation and following up of the activities in the emergency ward is a critical task. Due to importance of this ward in the hospital, any destructive factors such as conflict between nurses that have negative effects on their activities should be avoided. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between nurses’ conflict and head nurses’ emotional intelligence in the emergency ward of teaching hospitals who are affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2013.

  Materials & Methods: In this descriptive-correlational study, sampling method was census, hence 143 head nurses and nurses in teaching hospitals who were affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences were selected. Among the sample population, 125 nurse and 8 head nurse (total of 133) participated in the study. Data was collected by using of " Schering Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire " (for head nurses) and "Dobrin Job Conflict Questionnaire" (for nurses). Data was analyzed by SPSS/21.

  Findings: Nurses’ conflict average score with 28.12±13.4 out of 15 score was in "medium" level (12.28) and head nurses’ emotional intelligence average score with 110.20±7.83 out of 165 score was in "good" level. There was no significant correlation between head nurses’ emotional intelligence and nurses’ conflict (p=0.41 , r=-0.34).

  Conclusion: Assessing the cause of nurses’ conflict should be a prior task of head nurses of the emergency ward. In order to improve the performance of head nurses, nurses and the entire emergency department, it is recommended that training classes or workshops should be offered for nurses and head nurses to enhance their emotional intelligence.