Relationship between Moral Intelligence and Clinical Competency of Nurses in Ilam Educational Hospitals

In this descriptive-analytical study, 110 nurses working in educational hospitals of the Ilam University of Medical Sciences were included. Participants were selected using a random sampling method. The data collection tools were the demographic information form, the moral intelligence questionnaire of Lenik and Kiel (2005), and the standard clinical competency assessment questionnaire (CIRN). Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 21. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were used to analyze the data. The mean ± SD score of nurses’ moral intelligence and clinical competency was estimated at 157.59 ± 26.60 and 136.65 ± 46.08, respectively. Fifty-one percent of participants had low clinical competency, and 46% had high clinical competency. There was a significant association between moral intelligence and clinical competency (p<0.001, r=0.517). The moral intelligence and clinical competency of nurses were significantly associated with age, education status, work experience, employment status, and rank/position (P<0.05). A negative association was found between working unit/ ward and clinical competency (P<0.05).