PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning and essence of happiness by exploring and describing career nurses' lived experiences. METHODS Qualitative research was used in this study. Hospital nurses who had 3~5 years of experience in the clinical setting were interviewed and the data were analysed using Giorgi's phenomenological method. RESULTS Six main meanings and seventeen themes emerged. The six main meanings were as follows: self-confidence as a professional nurse, passion for self-realization, feeling of satisfaction in performance of nursing care, being grateful for working environment, emotional intimacy in interpersonal relationships, and taking delight and pleasure in leisure life. CONCLUSION The results of this study provide deep understanding of happiness as positive experiences that increase job satisfaction and aid retention to the nursing profession. These results can be used in the development of effective strategies to improve and expand nurses' happiness.
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