<p>Aim To determine what contributes to the professional fulfilment of registered nurses.</p> <p>Method An interpretive research approach was used to gather data from a large international sample of nurses from a variety of nursing specialties. A web-based data-collection method was developed to solicit and receive submissions.</p> <p>Findings Nurses who believed they provided high quality care and made strong connections with patients were usually very satisfied with their careers.</p> <p>Conclusion Nurses who become well satisfied with their career choice live out their core values and engage in interdependence. They entwine themselves in a mutually dependent way with patients, learning and growing together as they share the journey through the care trajectory.</p>