emotional intelligence;nurses;older people;nursing (residential) home

The aim of this study was to identify the emotional intelligence (EI) of nurses and determine EI differences with regard to age, years of workexperience and education. The research sample comprised of 208 nurses workingin nursing homes in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Their average age was 42.82 (SD ? 9.17) and average years of work experience were 19.27 (SD ? 9.87). Their EI was measured using questionnaires representing temporary notions of EI. TheSTEU (Situational Test of Emotional Understanding) questionnaire determines EI as an ability and provides a sum of correct answers that represents the total EI score. The SEIS (Schutte EI Scale) questionnaire determines the level of EI asa trait. The data was processed by statistical software SPSS 15.0. Nurses achieved adequate EI scores using both tools. SEIS providedstatistically significant differences related to the age and length of work experience (older and more experienced nurses achieved higher scores). STEU provided statistically significant differences related to the level of education (university graduates achieved higher scores). Our findings are supported by other evidence which states that the ability of dealing with emotions is a significant part of providing health and social services. EI is an ability which can be influenced by education and is important in the care of older people.