Objective:To explore the impact of emotional intelligence on the moral sensitivity of nursing interns and the mediating effect of empathy, with the aim of providing a basis for nursing educators to conduct relevant training.Methods:From August 2023 to July 2024, 200 nursing interns from 4 third-level A-grade hospitals in Jilin Province were selected as study participants using a convenience sampling method. Surveys were conducted using a general information questionnaire, the Moral Sensitivity Scale for Nursing Students, the Chinese Version of the Emotional Intelligence Scale, and the Jefferson Empathy Scale.Results:A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed, with 185 valid responses. The total score of the Moral Sensitivity Scale for Nursing Students was (44.56±7.59), the total score of the Chinese Version of the Emotional Intelligence Scale was (65.15±14.67), and the total score of the Jefferson Empathy Scale was (91.30±18.82). Mediating effect analysis showed that emotional intelligence positively predicted moral sensitivity ( β=0.108, P<0.01), emotional intelligence positively predicted empathy ( β=0.548, P<0.01), and empathy positively predicted moral sensitivity ( β=0.193, P<0.01). The Bootstrap method was used to test the mediating effect of empathy, revealing that empathy partially mediated the relationship between emotional intelligence and moral sensitivity in nursing interns. The mediating effect value was 0.106, accounting for 49.53% (0.106/0.214) of the total effect. Conclusions:Emotional intelligence not only has a direct positive impact on the moral sensitivity of nursing interns but also indirectly affects moral sensitivity through the mediating effect of empathy. Nursing educators in medical schools should focus on cultivating both emotional intelligence and empathy in nursing students to enhance their moral sensitivity.

Objective:To explore the impact of emotional intelligence on the moral sensitivity of nursing interns and the mediating effect of empathy, with the aim of providing a basis for nursing educators to conduct relevant training.Methods:From August 2023 to July 2024, 200 nursing interns from 4 third-level A-grade hospitals in Jilin Province were selected as study participants using a convenience sampling method. Surveys were conducted using a general information questionnaire, the Moral Sensitivity Scale for Nursing Students, the Chinese Version of the Emotional Intelligence Scale, and the Jefferson Empathy Scale.Results:A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed, with 185 valid responses. The total score of the Moral Sensitivity Scale for Nursing Students was (44.56±7.59), the total score of the Chinese Version of the Emotional Intelligence Scale was (65.15±14.67), and the total score of the Jefferson Empathy Scale was (91.30±18.82). Mediating effect analysis showed that emotional intelligence positively predicted moral sensitivity ( β=0.108, P<0.01), emotional intelligence positively predicted empathy ( β=0.548, P<0.01), and empathy positively predicted moral sensitivity ( β=0.193, P<0.01). The Bootstrap method was used to test the mediating effect of empathy, revealing that empathy partially mediated the relationship between emotional intelligence and moral sensitivity in nursing interns. The mediating effect value was 0.106, accounting for 49.53% (0.106/0.214) of the total effect. Conclusions:Emotional intelligence not only has a direct positive impact on the moral sensitivity of nursing interns but also indirectly affects moral sensitivity through the mediating effect of empathy. Nursing educators in medical schools should focus on cultivating both emotional intelligence and empathy in nursing students to enhance their moral sensitivity.