Abstract: Objective To know about the status quo of core competence in registered nurses in the three-A hospitals of Anhui, to analyze the relations between emotional intelligence and core competence, and to explore the influence factors of the core competence from the two aspects of the general information and emotional intelligence, so as to provide the basis for improving their emotional intelligence and core competence. Methods A total of 880 registered nurses received survey by using Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS) and Competency Inventory for Registered Nurse Scale (CIRNS). Descriptive analyst test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression were performed to analyze general information, emotional intelligence and core competence of registered nurses. Results The single factor analysis showed statistical significance in the core competence among, position, professional title, nursing satisfaction, fields of interest, engagement in further studies, teaching activities and hobby (P<0.01); The Pearson correlation analysis results indicated that the total emotional intelligence and each dimension had positive correlation with core competence (P<0.01); Multiple linear regression analysis results indicated that, position, professional interest, teaching activities, emotion appraisal, emotion regulation, emotion use, appraisal of others, emotions were the influence factors of the core competence. Conclusion Position, professional interest, teaching activities, emotion appraisal, emotion regulation, emotion use, appraisal of others' emotions were predictor variables of core competence in clinical registered nurses. The higher the emotional intelligence of clinical registered nurses, the more prominent the performance of core competence. The nursing managers should intervene to cultivate the emotional intelligence of nurses, so as to improve their level of core competence.