eng Science and Education Publishing American Journal of Nursing Research 2378-5586 2019-05-08 7 4 420 427 10.12691/ajnr-7-4-3 AJNR2019743 article Hasna Banjar 1 Naglaa El Seesy nona20102002@yahoo.com 2 Public Health Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, King Abdul-Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Nursing administration Department, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt The concept of emotional intelligence (EI) is central to future nurses who will practice in the clinical settings. Aim: to measure emotional intelligence competencies to be effective leaders among Saudi nursing students at King Abdul Al-Aziz University. Research design: Cross sectional quantitative descriptive design. Sampling: Convenient sample of approximately 81 students invited to participate voluntarily. Data collection tool: Emotional intelligence questionnaire is a validated tool that was used to measure emotional intelligence competencies to be effective leaders among Saudi nursing students at King Abdul Al-Aziz University. Results: showed that students need attention in descending order, managing emotions, motivating oneself, empathy and social skill as well as self-awareness competencies of emotional intelligence in order to be effective leaders. Recommendations: nursing students needed to be empower and equipped by EI principles, skills and competencies to face complexities of clinical practice. Nursing faculty could mentor students by providing EI-related workshop to enhance students’ ability to control and emotions properly. (E.g. emotion management, interpersonal communication and self-development) through role-play enacting. Nursing educators may boost students’ self-motivation by creating EI training group and workshops, counseling session and other diverse learning activities. Mentors are valuable methods of counselling for students with special attention at developing self-awareness, interpersonal and social relationships and empathy. http://pubs.sciepub.com/ajnr/7/4/3/ajnr-7-4-3.pdf emotional intelligence competencies nursing students