Happiness in the Workplace from the Perspective of Newly Graduated Nurses: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

This study aimed to explore and understand the factors influencing happiness among newly graduated nurses currently working in Ontario. A mixed-methods research design was employed, consisting of a cross-sectional descriptive-correlational survey for the quantitative part and thematic analysis for the qualitative part. Participants were recruited using a two-stage convenience sampling method, resulting in a sample size of 137 newly graduated nurses from various healthcare settings across Ontario. The Happiness at Work Scale developed by Singh and Aggarwal (2017) was utilized to measure workplace happiness among participants. The survey also collected demographic information, including age, place of work, gender, nursing program, and final practicum area. For the qualitative component, one open-ended question was included in the survey to gather data on factors contributing to participants’ perceptions of workplace happiness. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. The qualitative data underwent thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns in the open-ended responses. The findings of this study provided insights into the factors that contributed to workplace happiness among newly graduated nurses in Ontario. Results indicated key elements such as supportive work environments, opportunities for professional development, and work-life balance as significant contributors to happiness. These findings had practical implications for healthcare organizations and administrators, emphasizing the importance of fostering environments that promote happiness among nurses. Moreover, the study contributed to the existing literature on workplace happiness, specifically among newly graduated nurses, and could serve as a basis for further research in this area.