Unraveling the synergy: how organizational intelligence fuel soft skills and nurses' thriving: a cross-sectional study

BMC Nurs. 2024 May 8;23(1):315. doi: 10.1186/s12912-024-01933-w.

Abstract

Aim: Investigate the influence of organizational intelligence on the development of soft skills and the overall thriving of nurses at Alexandria Main University Hospital in Egypt.

Design: A cross-sectional descriptive design following STROBE guidelines examined the relationship between organizational intelligence, soft skills, and nurses' thriving.

Methods and tools: Data were collected from 740 nurses working across critical care units using structured questionnaires. The questionnaires assessed organizational intelligence, soft skills, and thriving at work. Sociodemographic characteristics, including age, gender, education, and nursing experience, were also collected. Statistical analyses were used to analyze the data, including ANOVA, t-tests, Pearson correlation, and stepwise regression.

Results: The findings revealed nurses' positive perceptions of organizational culture and documentation skills. However, areas such as measures and rewards and staff relations and communication indicated opportunities for improvement. Nurses reported high vitality levels but needed more learning opportunities at work. Significant correlations were found between demographic variables, organizational intelligence, soft skills, and thriving. Organizational intelligence demonstrated a robust positive relationship with both soft skills and thriving. Age, gender, education, and experience significantly influenced nurses' soft skills and thriving.

Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of organizational intelligence in enhancing nurses' professional capabilities and well-being. Addressing demographic factors and fostering a supportive work environment is crucial for optimizing nursing practice and organizational effectiveness.

Nursing implications: Insights from this study can inform targeted interventions and policy decisions to enhance nursing practice, organizational development, and healthcare outcomes in Egypt. Fostering organizational intelligence and soft skills among nurses can improve patient care, increase job satisfaction, and overall organizational success.

Keywords: Nurses; Organizational Intelligence; Soft skills; Thriving at work.