Correlation of happiness and professional autonomy in Iranian nurses

Background Happiness and professional autonomy in nurses increase job satisfaction, reduce turnover and improve the quality of healthcare services. Aims The present study aimed to examine the correlation between happiness and professional autonomy in Iranian nurses. Methods This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 371 nurses in 2017. The participants were selected via two-step random sampling. Data were collected using the Oxford Happiness Inventory and Dempster Practice Behaviors Scale within the score ranges of 0–87 and 30–150, respectively. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 16. Results Mean score of happiness among nurses was 43.1 ± 13.3 and the mean score of professional autonomy was 96.4 ± 13.5. According to Pearson's correlation coefficient, professional autonomy had a positive, significant correlation with happiness (r = 0.481; p