Objective To investigate the relationship between occupational benefit, emotional intelligence and work engagement of nursing interns in higher vocational colleges.

Methods A total of 430 vocational college nursing students were selected by convenience sampling method, and investigated using the general information questionnaire, occupational benefit perception scale, emotional intelligence scale and work engagement scale.General descriptive analysis and correlation analysis were carried out on the results, and a structural equation model was established.

Results The average score of the item of perceived professional benefits of nursing interns was (4.02±0.69) points, the average score of the item of emotional intelligence was (3.85±0.72) points, and the average score of the item of work engagement was (4.10±1.51) points.There was a positive correlation between each dimension of professional benefit perception and emotional intelligence, and dimension of work engagement(P < 0.01).The structural equation model showed that the occupational benefit perception and emotional intelligence had a direct effect on work engagement, with standardized path coefficients of 0.38 and 0.65, respectively(P < 0.01).Occupational benefit perception also indirectly affected work engagement through emotional intelligence as a mediating variable, with a mediating effect of 41.37%.

Conclusions The occupational benefit, emotional intelligence and work engagement of nursing interns are at the medium level, and there is still room for improvment.Occupational benefit and emotional intelligence are the influencing factors of work engagement.Occupational benefit can not only directly affect work engagement, but also indirectly affect work engagement through emotional intelligence.