Nurses’ Sustainability Consciousness as a Catalyst for Green Creativity and Workplace Thriving

AIM: This study examined the influence of nurses' sustainability consciousness on workplace thriving, with green creativity assessed as a mediating factor. BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION: Nurses are strategically positioned to advance sustainability in healthcare due to their continuous involvement in patient care and resource utilization. When sustainability awareness is nurtured, nurses are more likely to adopt innovative solutions that reduce waste, improve efficiency, and support environmental responsibility. Healthcare settings that prioritize sustainability often demonstrate stronger staff engagement, improved morale, and retention. METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was used for this study conducted at Tanta International Teaching Hospital, Egypt. A stratified proportional random sample of 306 nurses participated. Data were collected using three validated instruments: the Nurses' Sustainability Consciousness Scale, the Green Creativity Questionnaire, and the Workplace Thriving Scale, with Cronbach's α values of 0.85, 0.87, and 0.94, respectively. RESULTS: Sustainability consciousness showed a strong significant direct effect on workplace thriving (B = 1.738, p < 0.001). Green creativity mediated this relationship, with a significant indirect effect (B = 0.067, p = 0.029). Findings indicate that sustainability awareness promotes creative thinking, which strengthens workplace thriving. DISCUSSION: These results demonstrate that nurses with higher sustainability consciousness are more likely to generate creative environmental solutions, enhancing workplace vitality and professional fulfillment. CONCLUSION: Sustainability consciousness stimulates green creativity, which contributes to thriving work environments among nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Integrating sustainability education into nursing curricula may foster environmentally responsible practice and innovation. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: Policies should support sustainable healthcare initiatives, including green procurement, recycling programs, and energy efficiency, and encourage partnerships with national and global organizations committed to environmental health.