Background Emotional intelligence, decisive responses, and the ability to make appropriate decisions in critical situations play a significant role in shaping nurses’ caring behaviors. Research has highlighted the positive impact of emotional intelligence on clinical decision-making; however, some studies have reported no significant association between emotional intelligence and caring behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence, clinical decision-making, and caring behaviors among nurses working in the intensive care units (ICUs) of hospitals in Urmia.
Methods This descriptive-correlational study was conducted among nurses working in ICUs in 2024. A total of 220 nurses were selected using quota sampling based on predefined inclusion criteria. Data were collected using questionnaires on demographic characteristics, Schering’s Emotional Intelligence Scale, Lauri’s Clinical Decision-Making Questionnaire, and the Caring Dimensions Index (CDI-25). Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 16.0. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results The mean score of emotional intelligence was 113.14 ± 9.87, clinical decision-making was 91.46 ± 10.28, and caring behaviors were 106.36 ± 10.80. The Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a significant positive relationship between emotional intelligence and clinical decision-making (r = 0.249, p = 0.001) as well as between emotional intelligence and caring behaviors (r = 0.416, p < 0.001). Furthermore, clinical decision-making demonstrated a significant positive correlation with caring behaviors (r = 0.653, p < 0.001).
Conclusion Emotional intelligence is significantly correlated with clinical decision-making and caring behaviors. Therefore, continuing education programs should emphasize the development of emotional intelligence, and nurses with higher levels of emotional intelligence should be given priority for positions in ICUs.