Authors

  1. Reed, Karen S. DHSc, RN, CNE, CRRN, CNL

Article Content

By using pair/share/cross-pollinate, students collaboratively learn about the concept of emotional intelligence (EI), its usefulness as a leadership tool, and the relationship between EI and therapeutic relationships. Students are divided into triads. They are provided with a piece of flip chart paper and multiple color markers. In their teams, triads look up and discuss the following: definition of EI, strategies for improving EI, and signs of low EI/effects of low EI in the clinical setting. The triads summarize their findings onto the flip chart paper, create a colorful border on their paper with words that support EI development, and post it on the classroom wall. The class then "cross-pollinates" (as they look like bees moving from colorful paper to paper) by performing a gallery walk, collectively moving to each group's work with groups presenting what they learned. After a few of the presentations, the information becomes similar to that of the former groups. The ongoing groups present what new information they can contribute to the body of knowledge gained and reflect on the impact of the topic as it relates to their professional development and the challenges of developing EI. Students then take pictures of the posters from which test questions are developed.