experience of being a nurse who finds satisfaction in the nursing profession: A phenomenological study

This qualitative research study used the hermeneutic phenomenological method to discover the meaning of the experience of being a satisfied nurse. The study utilized van Manen's approach to phenomenology. The methods of inquiry included turning to the nature of the lived experience, existential investigation, identification of themes, phenomenological reflection, and phenomenological writing and rewriting. The aim of this study was to understand the meaning of being a nurse who finds satisfaction in the nursing profession. Six themes emerged as being significant to the experience of being a satisfied nurse: connecting with others, committing oneself, experiencing rewarding feedback, uncovering the unknown, caring for others, and finding meaning to life. The six themes reflect a unity of meaning of the experience of being a satisfied nurse. The unity of meaning is in feelings of enhanced humanness of the nurse and others. Implications for nursing research, nursing practice, and nursing education were discussed.