Abstract
Background:
Emotional intelligence (EI) and leadership styles of nurse managers are fundamental drivers of the job satisfaction of junior clinical nurses. However, evidence from tertiary care healthcare settings in Pakistan remains sparse.
Objective:
To assess the level of EI and leadership styles of nurse managers and to determine their relationship with the job satisfaction of junior clinical nurses in tertiary care hospitals in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
Methods:
A descriptive quantitative correlational design was employed. Using convenient sampling, data were collected from 109 nurse managers and 310 junior clinical nurses across five tertiary care hospitals in Rawalpindi from May to October 2025. The Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSEIT), the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), and the Employee Job Satisfaction Tool (EJST) were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS v26 with descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA.
Results:
The majority of nurse managers (67.9%) demonstrated high EI (mean SSEIT score: 128.4 ± 14.2). Transformational leadership was the predominant style (61.5%). A significant positive correlation was found between nurse manager EI and job satisfaction of junior nurses (r = 0.634, p < 0.001). Transformational leadership showed the strongest positive correlation with job satisfaction (r = 0.612, p < 0.001). Laissez-faire leadership was negatively correlated with job satisfaction (r = -0.418, p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Emotionally intelligent, transformational nurse managers significantly enhance the job satisfaction of junior clinical nurses in tertiary care settings. Regular EI and leadership training programs for nurse managers are strongly recommended