Introduction: Emotional Intelligence (EI) is an essential form of human intelligence and one of the most important factors for career success and social and it is deemed essential for effective nursing practice. The aim of this research was to assess emotional intelligence nursing students of Islamic Azad University of Yazd.
Method: This research study was a descriptive cross sectional. The statistical populations consisted of all nursing students of Islamic Azad University of Yazd were studying in the academic year 1388-89, in which number of 116 selected by Stratified randomly. Data was collected with questionnaire، the questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic characteristics and the Bar On emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i). Data was analyzed by SPSS16 software using the t-test to compare the means between groups and Pearson's correlation coefficient to assess the relationship between emotional intelligence and some personal traits (average grade point and age).
Results: The mean and standard deviation of emotional intelligence total score the mean and standard deviation was 331.28±35.05. There was significant correlation between the emotional intelligence and average (p=0.05). No significant relationship was found between emotional intelligence and age and gender.
Conclusion: The results showed that emotional intelligence of nursing student is desirable, but considering the nature of the nursing profession and is that high emotional intelligence indicating better management self and others emotions and establish appropriate relationships with them is therefore to achieve higher levels plans should be considered and create a learning environment to improve the students emotional intelligence.