en ● Health Systems مقاله اصيل پژوهشي Orginal Article <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><strong>Background</strong>: Cultural intelligence (CQ) plays a crucial role in administrative organizations characterized by diversity, ethnic differences, and varying social expectations. A significant portion of professional competence develops through interpersonal interactions and collaborative, team-based relationships. Through this process, individuals acquire the roles, values, and cultural norms associated with their profession, along with the conditions necessary for active participation in social organizations. In light of these complexities, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between CQ and professional socialization among nursing students at Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Iran.<br> <strong>Methods</strong>: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 and involved 143 nursing students from Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Iran, selected through convenience sampling. Data collection instruments included standardized questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, CQ, and professional socialization. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 20, employing Pearson&rsquo;s correlation and linear regression tests (P<0.05).<br> <strong>Results</strong>: The mean age of participants was 22.62&plusmn;1.85 years; 59.5% were male, 93.5% were single, and 63.4% resided in university dormitories. The mean CQ score was 88.63 out of a possible 154, while the mean professional socialization score was 110.62 out of 240, indicating generally low levels of professional socialization. Pearson&rsquo;s correlation revealed a statistically significant positive association between CQ and professional socialization (r=0.195, P=0.019, 95% CI, 0.092%, 0.242%).<br> <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Given the moderate level of CQ and its significant association with professional socialization, enhancing CQ may improve professional socialization of nursing students. Such improvements have the potential to positively influence the future professional performance of nurses.&nbsp;</span></span></div> Cultural intelligence (CQ), Professional socialization, Nursing students 305 314 http://jrh.gmu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-2511-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Roghieh Sodeify sodeifi_r @khoyums.ac.ir 2800424443 100319475328460045543 No Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran. Zeinab Habibpour habibpoor_z@khoyums.ac.ir 2802669826 100319475328460045544 Yes Department of Psychiatric Nursing, School of Nursing, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran. Mehdi Mokhtari mokhtari_epid_em@yahoo.com 2802744658 100319475328460045545 No Department of Epidemiology, School of Nursing, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran. Masoud Omiya masoudomia20@gmail.com 2890356132 100319475328460045546 No Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing, Khoy University of Medical Sciences, Khoy, Iran.