Enhancing Situational Leadership and Emotional Intelligence among Head Nurses and its' Effect on their Managerial Competencies

Background : Situational leadership and emotional intelligence are key predictors of effective and competent head nurses; they can help leaders to improve their managerial competencies. The study aimed to enhance situational leadership and emotional intelligence among head nurses and its' effect on their managerial competencies. Design : A Quasi experimental design was utilized to meet the aim of this study. Setting : The study was conducted at Benha University Hospital . Sample: A convenience sample of (45) of head nurses and their assistance who were working at the above-mentioned setting. Tools : Four different tools were used namely: (1) Situational leadership and Emotional Intelligence Knowledge Questionnaire, (2) Situational Leadership Scale , (3) Standardized Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire and (4) Managerial Competencies Questionnaire. Results: Only 17.8% of head nurses had adequate knowledge level at pre-program and only 8.9% of head nurses had high situational leadership skill level and increased to 84.4% &73.3% at immediate post and follow up phases respectively. Also, 22.2% of head nurses had high emotional intelligence level at preprogram and increased to 84.4% &51.1% at immediately post and follow up phases respectively. Finally, 53.3% of head nurses were competent at preprogram and increased to 91.1% &80.0% at immediately post and follow up phases respectively. Conclusion: There was general improvement in head nurses' knowledge and skills about situational leadership and emotional intelligence and also their managerial competencies at immediate post and follow phases than preprogram. Recommendation: Hospital managers should involve situational leadership and emotional intelligence competencies in head nurses’ performance appraisal. Head nurses should periodically assess the maturity level of staff nurses for effective using of situational leadership styles.