Emotional intelligence in nursing: The hidden clinical skill

Could emotional intelligence be the most overlooked clinical skill in nursing? In this episode of Lippincott Spark, Dr. Kelly Dries sits down with nurse leader and educator Dr. Pamela Stokes to explore how emotional intelligence builds trust, reduces burnout, strengthens teams, and improves outcomes across nursing practice and education. Drawing on more than two decades of clinical, academic, and executive experience, Dr. Stokes breaks down what emotional intelligence actually looks like at the bedside, in the classroom, and on the unit. She's candid about the personal cost of environments where it's missing, and she makes a compelling argument for why nurses, educators, and leaders can no longer afford to overlook it.The conversation goes beyond definition. Dr. Stokes tackles the hard topic of incivility in nursing, explores what it takes to build psychologically safe teams, and shares why emotional intelligence may be the most underused tool leaders have for reducing burnout and strengthening interprofessional collaboration. Dr. Kelly Dries, host of Lippincott Spark, adds her own practical tools to the mix, including a one-minute daily reflection that can reset how you show up for your patients, your team, and yourself. Emotionally intelligent nurses earn greater trust, navigate conflict more effectively, and help create stronger unit cultures.  But perhaps the most important thing Dr. Stokes wants you to walk away knowing is this: emotional intelligence isn't a personality trait you either have or don't. It's a skill. It's teachable. And it belongs in every nursing curriculum, every leadership strategy, and every clinical environment.Listen to discover practical strategies for building emotional intelligence and learn why this often-overlooked skill may be one of the strongest predictors of nursing success.For more information and resources:https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/lippincott-nursing-faculty