Association between emotional intelligence and career growth among nurses in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as a relevant professional competency in nursing, yet its relationship with career growth remains underexplored in Saudi Arabia. This study examined the association between total emotional intelligence and perceived career growth among nurses in the Jazan Health Cluster. A cross-sectional correlational design was employed with 295 registered nurses in the Jazan Health Cluster recruited via convenience sampling. EI was measured using the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test, and career growth was measured using the Career Growth Scale. Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression served as the primary analytical strategies. The sample was predominantly female (78.0%), Saudi (67.1%), and BSN-qualified (74.9%), with a mean age of 36.28 years (SD = 7.94). Mean total EI was 127.98 (SD = 9.96), and mean total career growth was 53.73 (SD = 6.66). EI was positively correlated with career growth ( r = .351, 95% CI [0.246, 0.447], p < .001). Exploratory analysis showed that total EI was most strongly correlated with Career Capacity ( r = .438). Social Skills and Emotion Utilization showed broad positive patterns across the non-salary career-growth domains, whereas total EI was not associated with Salary Increase ( r = − .008, 95% CI [-0.122, 0.106]). The association between the total scores remained after covariate adjustment (B = 0.213, standardized β = 0.319, HC3 p < .001; adjusted R² = 0.220). Total emotional intelligence was positively associated with perceived career growth among nurses in Saudi Arabia after covariate adjustment but was not associated with perceived salary growth. Exploratory findings suggest that emotional competencies may be more relevant to developmental and relational aspects of career growth than to financial advancement. The findings may inform broader professional-development strategies aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 healthcare workforce priorities.