The Relationship Between the Implicit Rationing of Nursing Care and Emotionally Intelligent Leadership Style

OBJECTIVE The study examined relationships between nurses' perceptions of implicit rationing of nursing care and leadership style in the nursing work environment. BACKGROUND Nurses' perceptions of higher amounts of implicit rationing of nursing care relate to perceptions of lower quality of care and poorer patient outcomes. This study was the 1st to examine leadership style and implicit rationing of nursing care. METHODS Using a cross-sectional survey study design, 35 039 RNs were randomly sampled during September 2017 to March 2018. RESULTS Findings support an association between nurses' perceptions of an emotionally intelligent leadership style and lower amounts of implicit rationing of nursing care. CONCLUSION Implicit rationing of nursing care in the nursing work environment is significantly associated with emotionally intelligent leadership style. Nurse executives, and nursing faculty in administrative-focused graduate programs, can provide development and education in emotionally intelligent leadership skills.