Exploring the Dynamics of Perceived Organizational Support, Psychological Safety, and Organizational Justice in Enhancing Nurses’ Meaningful Work: A Moderated Mediation Model

Background Meaningful work is a critical psychological resource that enhances nurse engagement, retention, and quality of patient care. Organizational factors, including perceived organizational support, psychological safety, and organizational justice, play key roles in shaping nurses’ perceptions of meaningful work. While previous studies have examined these factors individually, limited evidence exists on how they interact. Aim To explore the relationships between perceived organizational support, psychological safety, and organizational justice in enhancing nurses’ meaningful work. Methods This multicenter cross‐sectional study surveyed a convenience sample of 349 nurses from four general hospitals. Data were collected using online survey, and partial least squares approach was employed to examine the hypothesized relationships. Results Perceived organizational support was positively associated with meaningful work ( β = 0.421, p < 0.001) and psychological safety ( β = 0.319, p < 0.001), whereas organizational justice was positively associated with psychological safety ( β = 0.287, p < 0.001). Psychological safety was positively associated with meaningful work ( β = 0.199, p < 0.01) and partially mediated the associations of perceived organizational support ( β = 0.064, p < 0.05) and organizational justice ( β = 0.057, p < 0.05) with meaningful work. Moderated mediation analysis revealed a small but statistically significant negative effect of organizational justice on the association between perceived organizational support and psychological safety ( f 2 = 0.015), and the indirect association of perceived organizational support with meaningful work via psychological safety was weaker at higher levels of organizational justice. Conclusion Meaningful work among nurses is supported by organizational support and fairness through psychological safety. High organizational justice may reduce reliance on perceived support. Nurse leaders should foster fair, supportive environments and policies that promote psychological safety, recognition, and engagement, ultimately enhancing retention, well‐being, and patient care.