Background <p>To increase the value of the nursing profession on a global scale, creating environments that support innovative behaviors and determining the factors that encourage innovative behaviors are of critical importance. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative behavior of nurses and the mediating role of psychological empowerment in this relationship.</p> Methods <p>This study was conducted using a descriptive and cross-sectional design within the framework of quantitative research methods. The study was conducted in four private hospitals affiliated with a health institution in Türkiye. The study group consisted of a sample group of 317 nurses in total. The collected data were analyzed with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using Jamovi 2.4.11 statistical software.</p> Results <p>The results showed that transformational leadership was positively and significantly related to psychological empowerment and innovative behavior (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). There was a positive relationship between psychological empowerment and innovative behavior (β = 0.406, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Psychological empowerment had a positive mediating effect on the relationship between transformational leadership and innovative behavior (β = 0.291, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001).</p> Conclusions <p>This study examined the effect of transformational leadership on innovative work behaviors and the role of psychological empowerment in mediating this relationship. The findings show that transformational leadership positively affects nurses’ innovative work behaviors, and this effect is strengthened through psychological empowerment.</p> Clinical trial number <p>Clinical trial number: not applicable.</p>