Authentic leadership and thriving among nurses: the mediating role of empathy.

Aim: To examine the relationship between perceived authentic leadership and two dimensions of thriving (learning and vitality) among nurses, and to study the mediating role of empathy in this relationship.

Background: Nurses' thriving is a key asset for health care organisations, and its significant role warrants the need to identify the underlying key determinants and psychological mechanisms.

Method: A cross-sectional design was carried out in a large hospital in September 2013.