This study examines the mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between depression, professional self-efficacy, job performance, and life satisfaction among nurses. Using a cross-sectional design with 579 participants, the study employs structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The results indicate that work engagement plays a crucial mediating role, positively influencing life satisfaction through its positive relationships with professional self-efficacy and job performance, while negatively impacting life satisfaction through its association with depression. The study highlights the importance of fostering work engagement and self-efficacy in nurses to improve their job performance and life satisfaction. It also underscores the need for workplace policies and strategies that address job demands and resources to enhance nurses' overall well-being. The findings contribute to the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory and suggest areas for future research, including exploring other factors and applying these findings across different contexts and cultures.This study examines the mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between depression, professional self-efficacy, job performance, and life satisfaction among nurses. Using a cross-sectional design with 579 participants, the study employs structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The results indicate that work engagement plays a crucial mediating role, positively influencing life satisfaction through its positive relationships with professional self-efficacy and job performance, while negatively impacting life satisfaction through its association with depression. The study highlights the importance of fostering work engagement and self-efficacy in nurses to improve their job performance and life satisfaction. It also underscores the need for workplace policies and strategies that address job demands and resources to enhance nurses' overall well-being. The findings contribute to the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory and suggest areas for future research, including exploring other factors and applying these findings across different contexts and cultures.