At Providence Swedish, we believe that emotional intelligence (EI) is an essential component of caregiving. When you interview here, highlighting your technical skills is essential. But what really sets you apart is also showcasing a high level of emotional intelligence. Whether you apply for a job as a nurse, radiology technologist, medical assistant, physical therapist or patient care coordinator, communicating how you excel at EI can help you stand out from other candidates.

Emotional intelligence defined

Simply put, emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand and manage your own emotions while effectively responding to the emotions of others. For all caregivers, whether they work at the bedside or not, it’s an invaluable trait that fosters trust, empathy and better communication with patients, families and coworkers.

EI is essential for leadership—and having the qualities of a leader, such as taking initiative, inspiring others and fostering collaboration, even if you don’t hold a leadership role. As Associate VP of Acute Care Operations Trevor Bennett shares on LinkedIn, “While IQ is fixed and provides the foundation for your technical skills, it’s your emotional intelligence that determines how effectively you can lead.”

EI is made up of five key components:

1. Self-awareness: Understanding your emotions and their impact
2. Self-regulation: Managing your reactions under pressure
3. Motivation: Staying driven by purpose, not just rewards
4. Empathy: Understanding and connecting with others
5. Social skills: Building relationships and fostering collaboration

Why emotional intelligence matters

Working in a hospital or clinical setting is rewarding—but also emotionally demanding. Caregivers help patients through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. How you respond matters, and caregivers with high emotional intelligence tend to stand out for several reasons:

1. They enhance the patient experience. Patients want to feel seen, heard and valued. Caregivers with strong EI build trust and rapport, resulting in more positive patient experiences and outcomes.
2. They promote teamwork and belonging. Caregivers who understand colleagues’ emotions and perspectives can communicate more effectively and collaborate better, improving overall efficiency and feelings of belonging.
3. They can more easily manage stressful situations. Healthcare is a high-pressure environment. Emotional intelligence equips caregivers with tools to manage stress and maintain focus when situations are hectic and heightened.

Giving examples of your emotional intelligence during an interview

When you interview with us, you can demonstrate emotional intelligence by thinking beforehand about times you’ve:

• Practiced active listening, giving your full attention when patients or colleagues are speaking and refraining from interrupting.
• Cultivated empathy, putting yourself in another person’s shoes to better understand their feelings and perspective.
• Reflected on how your emotions impact your actions and made changes.
• Been thoughtful in the way you express yourself to reduce misunderstandings in high-stakes situations.
• Used strategies, such as deep breathing or quick mental resets, to stay calm and grounded during fast-paced shifts.

A culture of kindness and caring

We believe that emotional intelligence is essential in providing excellent care to our communities—and we’re committed to cultivating it within all our teams. We do this by:

• Providing a multitude of professional development resources and training programs, where caregivers can develop not only technical skills but crucial interpersonal ones. 
• Understanding the emotional toll caregiving can take and prioritizing mental, emotional and spiritual well-being benefits for all caregivers. 
• Cultivating a workplace where everyone feels heard and respected. 

Join our team

If you’re a jobseeker looking for your next opportunity, consider joining our team of supportive, compassionate caregivers. View all roles.