The mediating role of emotional intelligence in the relationship between nursing work environment and work engagement among nurses in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation wards: a cross-sectional study

Background Work engagement is crucial for nursing performance, and the nursing work environment plays a significant role in influencing engagement. Emotional intelligence (EI) has been suggested as a potential mediator in this relationship. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the nursing work environment and work engagement, considering the mediating role of emotional intelligence among Chinese nurses in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation wards. Methods A cross-sectional design was used. Chinese nurses from hematopoietic stem cell transplantation wards in 19 hospitals with qualifications for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, located across 9 provinces (or cities), were selected using convenience sampling from February to July 2023. Data were collected through a general information questionnaire, the Nursing Work Environment Scale, the Emotional Intelligence Scale, and the Work Engagement Scale. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to investigate the mediating effect of emotional intelligence between the nursing work environment and work engagement. Results Nurses reported moderate levels of nursing work environment, emotional intelligence, and work engagement. The total score of the Work Engagement Scale was positively correlated with the total scores of both the Emotional Intelligence Scale and the Nursing Work Environment Scale, as well as with scores across all dimensions (all p < 0.05). Emotional intelligence partially mediated the relationship between the nursing work environment and work engagement, accounting for 24.4% of the total effect. Conclusion The findings suggest that both the nursing work environment and emotional intelligence significantly influence work engagement among nurses in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation units. Emotional intelligence plays a key mediating role, which can inform strategies for enhancing work engagement in this setting.