ObjectiveTo understand the status quo of professional commitment of registered nurses of tertiary first-class hospitals in Anhui, analyze the relationship between emotional intelligence and occupational commitment, and provide reference for nursing managers.

MethodsThe cluster sampling method was conducted, and 920 registered nurses from three tertiary first-class hospitals in Anhui were investigated using emotional intelligence scale and professional commitment scale.

ResultsThe differences of the scores of registered nurses with different hospital types, positions, employment methods, titles, nursing satisfaction, health status, professional interest and annual income were statistically significant(P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).The total score and dimensions of emotional intelligence were positively correlated with the total score and dimensions of occupational commitment(P < 0.01).The results of regression analysis showed that the more interested in nursing specialty, higher the total score of emotional intelligence and more satisfied the nursing work were, the higher the score of professional commitment of nurses in provincial grade tertiary first-class hospitals was.

ConclusionsThe nursing managers should pay attention to the cultivation of nurses' emotional intelligence to improve their professional commitment.