Effect of Nurses' Work-Life Balance and Nursing Performance on Happiness Index

The purpose of this study was to prepare a plan to increase the happiness index of nurses by identifying the work-life balance, nursing performance, and happiness index of clinical nurses. The subjects of this study were 161 hospital nurses located in B metropolitan city and K province through self-questionnaires from May 6 to May 20, 2022. 
The collected data were analyzed using SPSS/Win 24.0. As a result of the analysis, the work-life balance perceived by nurses was 3.29 points (out of 5 points), nursing performance was 3.73 points (out of 5 points), and the happiness index was 3.37 points (out of 5 points). The difference in happiness index according to general characteristics differed according to male (t=3.608, p<.001), current department (F=3.271 p=.023), and monthly average salary (F=4.068 p=.019). There was a significant difference, and the happiness index of nurses had a significant positive correlation between work-life balance (r=.591, p<.001) and nursing performance (r=.396, p<.001). As a result of analyzing the factors affecting the happiness index of nurses, work-life balance (β=.48, p<.001), salary level of 400 ten thousand won or more (β=.24, p=.01), 301-400 ten thousand won (β=.23, p=.03), nursing performance (β=.20, p<.001), and male (β=.14, p=.03) were significant variables. The explanatory power of the variable was 40.7%. In conclusion, in order to increase the happiness index of nurses, it is necessary to improve policies that increase the happiness index by improving work-life balance and nursing performance as well as external compensation.