Aim <p>A research was designed to explore the effect of paradoxical leadership on nurses’ job performance. It also aimed to investigate the mediating role of thriving at work.</p> Background <p>Nursing job performance needs to be improved, as evidenced by the rapidly evolving business landscape. Thriving at work and paradoxical leadership are two elements that can enhance nursing job performance, as they offer individuals a valuable framework for adapting to these shifts.</p> Methods <p>In Al-Kharij City, a cross-sectional study was carried out at King Khalid Hospital and Heart Surgeries Medical Center. In all, 323 nurses took part. Paradoxical leadership was measured with a measure developed by Zhang et al. (2015), thriving at work was evaluated by a questionnaire by Porath et al. (2012), and job performance was assessed through a questionnaire by Platis et al. (2015). Regression analysis and correlation were used to test the study’s hypotheses.</p> Results <p>There is a statistically significant positive association between paradoxical leadership and nurses’ job performance. Paradoxical leadership and thriving at work were critical indicators of nurses’ job performance. The mediating influence of thriving at work within the connection between paradoxical leadership and nurses’ job performance was statistically significant, resulting in a more positive relationship.</p> Conclusion <p>This study demonstrates a strong positive correlation between nurses’ job performance and paradoxical leadership. A mediating effect is played by thriving at work, which reinforces this association and emphasizes how crucial it is to improving job performance.</p> Implications for nursing and health policy <p>Healthcare organizations should focus on launching programs that promote paradoxical leadership and thriving in the work context, as they can play a crucial role in enhancing the job performance of nurses.</p> Clinical trial number <p>Not applicable.</p>