Enhancing emotional intelligence and mental well-being for stress management in nursing education – a qualitative study

This study provides support for the value of self-development programs in a nursing education context. The self-development program created an environment where nursing students felt safe and secure, valued trust, and could communicate openly with each other, which in turn may foster better psychological well-being. Moreover, the findings highlight the value of EI training for nursing students in allowing them to develop awareness of their emotions and those of others, as well as regulate their own emotions to cope better with challenges at university and foster skills that will enable them to deal professionally with future workplace challenges. This supports the value of a stronger emphasis on structured EI and self-development training in nursing curricula, with the potential to inform educational strategies and policy aimed at promoting psychological readiness and long-term professional sustainability.