Objective To explore the moderating effect of nurses′ emotional labour on the relationship between leadership trust and job satisfaction, and to provide a reference for effective nursing management. Methods A total of 261 nurses in a tertiary hospital were surveyed using a general information questionnaire, the Leadership Trust Scale, the Emotional Labour Scale, and the Nurse job Satisfaction Scale. The moderating effect of emotional labour on the relationship between leadership trust and nurse job satisfaction was analyzed. Results The sample scored (4.38±0.70) for leadership trust, (4.10±0.78) for nurse job satisfaction, and (3.47±0.76) for emotional labour. The scores of dimensions of emotional expression, surface acting, and deep acting in the Emotional Labour Scale were (3.98±0.65), (3.28±1.02) and (3.14±1.08), respectively. Leadership trust was positively correlated with nurse job satisfaction and emotional expression, and emotional labour was also positively correlated with nurse job satisfaction (all P<0.05). Emotional expression （β＝0.084，P＜0.05） played a moderating role in the relationship between leadership trust and nurse job satisfaction. Conclusion Emotional expression moderates the relationship between leadership trust and nurse job satisfaction. Managers should pay attention to nurses′ emotional expression and improve their job satisfaction, thus to enhance nursing efficiency and quality.