Unveiling the Experiences of Happiness at Work through Narrative Inquiry: Advanced Practice Nurses' Perspectives.

Advanced Practice Nurses have been expected to lead Thai clinical care into the future and help overcome the challenges of health care needs and high cost of care. However, the issues that these nurses face and how these issues impact their happiness at work remain elusive. This study explored the meaning, as well as the facilitators and barriers, of happiness at work among Advanced Practice Nurses. Qualitative, narrative inquiry comprising conversational interviews with 9 participants working at an advance-care level in Northern Thailand was undertaken. Constructivist theory guided data collection and analysis. The data analysis procedure took the interpretive, thematic approach suggested by Riessman. From the participants' narratives is derived their meaning of happiness at work, as well as the facilitators and barriers to their happiness. These are captured under three themes: 1) a lack of achievement perceived to be due to them having inadequate support systems and an imbalanced work life; 2) striving to be happy despite these constraints; and 3) their definition of happiness. The findings highlight the need for improving the explicit approach to career advancement and creating a supportive work environment for Advanced Practice Nurses. The findings also noted the desirable attributes of happiness at work which would appeal and attract nurses to become Advanced Practice Nurses and study a doctoral program in nursing in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]