The evaluation of emotional intelligence and communication skills of nursing students and the other university students in comparative way

The aim of this descriptive study was to evaluate and compare the emotional intelligence and communication skills of nursing students and the other university students.The universe ot the study consisted of 147 nursing students and 1270 unıversty students (Faculty of Forestry, Techical Education Faculty) attending 4-year formal education in Duzce University in 2007-2008 academic year. 130 nursing students and 130 other universty students were taken to the sample group according to th e equivalent characteristics ( age,class, gender variables). Data were collected using an information form developed by researchers and Emotional Intelligence Evaluation Scale developed by Hall (1999) and its reliability and validity in Turkish was determined by Ergin(1999). Commucation Skills Evaluation Scale that was developed by Korkut (1996) was also used to collect the data. The collected data were analyzed using percentage, chi-square to compare the groups percenteages, student t test and Mann Whitney U test to analyze the mean differncess between two groups and pearson correlation to determine the relation among steady variables. It as found that Nursing Students in the Emotional Intelligence Evaluation Scale Sub-dimensions, Emotional Awereness, Self Motivation and emotional intelligence total scores were higher to the compare group. On the other hand there were empathy and social skills. However Nursing Students communication skills mean scores was higher than the compared group and difference between group was significant statistically.