There is research to support that emotional-social intelligence skills positively impact academic and practice performance outcomes in nursing. Based on the literature, there was a need to explore the most important emotional-social intelligence skills used in nursing practice and how those skills are developed.

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to understand the emotional-social intelligence skills used and developed in nursing practice. Participants were chosen through purposeful sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and an emotional-social intelligence skills checklist based on the Bar-On Model of Emotional-Social Intelligence (2006) was used. The emerging Minster Five-Factor Model of Emotional-Social Intelligence for Nursing was developed based on the data collected.

This study revealed four essential skills that registered nurses use in practice: empathy, stress tolerance, flexibility, and problem solving. Self-awareness was determined to be a key skill needed for registered nurses to develop emotional-social intelligence skills. This study found that emotional-social intelligence can be learned and developed. Mentors, role models, and coaches within the context of the acute care setting assisted in the development of emotional-social intelligence. Engagement was an important factor for development to occur.

This study recommends including emotional-social intelligence skills in nursing curriculum. Further studies are recommended to validate the essential emotional-social intelligence skills for nursing.