Background: Effective leaders with high emotional intelligence could help the people they lead to raise their own level of emotional intelligence, potentially resulting in more effective organizational climate. The study aimed to assess the effect of emotional intelligence educational program for head nurses on their leadership practice as reported by nursing staff. Research design: A quasi- experimental design was utilized to conduct this study. Setting: This study was conducted at Benha University Hospital in all inpatient units (57). Sample: Consisted of two groups, (57) head nurses and all available subordinate nurses at the time of the study (150). Tools of data collection: Three tools were used in the present study for data collection: Emotional intelligence knowledge questionnaire, Emotional intelligence questionnaire level and Leadership practice inventory. Results: Head nurses' emotional intelligence level enhanced after implementation of emotional intelligence educational program as reported by themselves and by their staff, with no statistically significant differences between them throughout program phases. Head nurses' leadership practice enhanced after implementation of emotional intelligence educational program as reported by themselves and by their staff with no statistically significant differences between them throughout program phases. Conclusion:  There was a highly positive statistically significant correlation between head nurses' emotional intelligence knowledge, emotional intelligence level, and level of leadership practice throughout the educational program phases.  This finding supported the hypotheses of the study. Recommendations: Promotion program for head nurses have to include emotional intelligence, also this study needs to be replicated with a diverse range sample from health sector across private and public sectors.