Centering Emotional Work in the Nursing Profession

Nurses regularly perform emotional work in clinical settings, managing their own feelings while responding to the emotions of patients, families, and colleagues. This labor deeply shapes their well-being and the quality of care they deliver. However, despite its central role, emotional work remains largely overlooked in healthcare research, policy, and education. More than a reaction, emotion is a form of awareness and a tool for navigating complex care situations. It helps bridge the gap between knowing what to do and acting with purpose. Still, many nurses receive little or no training in recognizing and managing emotions, leaving them unprepared for the emotional intensity of care work. Evidence highlights the consequences of unrecognized emotional work. For example, over 40% of nurses have reported experiencing workplace bullying (Baek & Trinkoff, 2022), which is a situation that undermines both patient safety and nurse well-being (Galanis et al., 2024). Research into this issue has shown that nurses with high emotional sensitivity but low confidence, an indicator of unprocessed emotional labor, are more likely to be targeted by bullying in the workplace. Unmanaged emotional work contributes directly to distress, burnout, and toxic work environments. Developing emotional awareness turns emotional work into a strength, with nurses who recognize and regulate emotions handling interpersonal tensions more effectively and better supporting team cohesion. One article in this issue illustrates how younger nurses, initially discouraged by comparisons with senior colleagues, use moments of emotional awareness to fuel growth. By reframing these comparisons within a growth mindset, these nurses not only built confidence but also contributed to intergenerational learning, sharing their digital knowledge to support senior peers and fostering mutual respect. Emotional work also drives better patient care. Without it, nurses may miss cues or respond superficially. In a study on colorectal cancer survivors in this issue, more than 60% reported unmet care needs—particularly in terms of recurrence signs and health promotion. These gaps reflect not just informational deficits but also emotional deficits, i.e., fears and uncertainties that go unrecognized. Beyond accumulating the requisite knowledge, addressing these issues requires emotional insight. Pediatric care offers another example. One study in this issue found that something as simple as undersea-themed exam table covers reduced children’s fear and anxiety significantly during ECGs. These emotionally attuned interventions improve both the experience and effectiveness of care. Despite a significant amount of relevant evidence, emotional work remains a peripheral topic in nursing education, which regularly prioritizes technical knowledge over emotional intelligence. In today’s complex, high-stakes environments, emotional competence is not optional—it’s essential. Integrating emotional intelligence training into nursing curricula can equip nurses to manage stress, collaborate effectively, and provide holistic, responsive care (MacLaren et al., 2016). Emotional work is neither a soft skill nor a side note—it’s foundational to the nursing profession. The research highlighted in this issue shows that emotionally intelligent nursing leads to safer workplaces, stronger teams, and more compassionate care. It is time to recognize emotional capacity as a pillar of nursing excellence and to give it the visibility, support, and training it deserves.