Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Nursing

Committee Chair

Sheri Howard

Committee Member

Soyhe Lee

Committee Member

Kimberly Kennel

Committee Member

Megan Taylor

Abstract

Nursing student attrition rates contribute to the current nursing staff shortages in the United States. With many nursing students leaving their program after the first semester, identifying potential causes and interventions to mitigate these causes is a priority. Students report uncertainty and anxiety, as well as the incongruence between expectations and reality of nursing programs which can lead to transition shock. By assessing the ability of the students to understand, use, and manage their emotions, educators may be able to plan interventions to increase student retention. A quantitative correlational study assessed students in the first-semester Health Assessment course using the Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test, Perceived Stress Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and Brief Resilience Scale surveys. This study assessed the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and transition shock (TS) during the first-semester transition of students into their nursing program and found students possessed a moderate or higher level of EI and moderate stress levels. Results indicated an inverse relationship between EI and TS signifying that those students with higher levels of EI had lower levels of TS measured as stress. More research is needed to identify which area of EI will impact TS the most.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest.

Notes

Embargoed until 4/5/2026

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Available for download on Sunday, April 05, 2026

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