High Level of Emotional Intelligence is Related to High Level of Online Teaching Self-Efficacy among Academic Nurse Educators

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and online teaching self-efficacy among 115 academic nurse educators who teach online (totally, blended, or both). The sample was randomly drawn from the list of nursing schools accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) with baccalaureate, master’s and/or doctoral programs. The hypothesis tested states “Academic nurse educators who teach online and who report higher levels of EI would also report greater online teaching self-efficacy.” Results showed a significant moderate relationship (r=0.446, p< .01) between EI and online teaching self-efficacy. The coefficient of determination R² was 0.199, which indicates that about 20% of the variation in online teaching self-efficacy can be explained by EI contribution. The hypothesis was supported. Results also indicated that online teaching self-efficacy was positively related to duration of being an academic nurse educator (r = 0.212, p<0.05) and duration of teaching online (r = 0.203, p< 0.05). Further, there was no significant difference between the different age groups regarding EI and online teaching self-efficacy. Similarly, there was no significant difference among university degrees attained of participants regarding EI and online teaching self-efficacy. The Implications for enhancing EI and online teaching self-efficacy are discussed.