Aim: To establish the suitability of self-determination theory as a theoretical framework to inform research and design of digital applications for nurses' well-being.

Design and method: This discursive paper describes the background and core premises of self-determination theory and explains its relevance as a theoretical framework to support research and the design of digital applications to promote nurses' well-being.

Findings: Increasing numbers of digital applications are being used by nurses, but few are supported by clearly explicated theoretical frameworks. Self-determination theory focuses on how people's innate psychological needs interact and are influenced by the social environments where they live and work. Given the influence the social environment can have on well-being, self-determination theory is well suited as a theoretical framework to inform research and design of digital applications promoting nurses' well-being.

Conclusions: Stress and burnout impact nurses worldwide, to the detriment of staff well-being, their retention in health services, and provision of patient care. The rapid development and ubiquitous use of digital applications by nurses make researching their effectiveness vitally important if nurses' well being is to be supported. Self-determination theory provides a theoretical framework useful for these applications.

Implications for the profession: Through the lens of self-determination theory, researchers, digital application designers, and organisations can garner further insights to support digital application development and implementation for the well-being of nurses.

Impact: This paper has international relevance and can assist researchers, application designers, and organisations interested in promoting nurses' well-being through understanding the applicability and usefulness of self-determination theory as a theoretical framework for the design of digital applications for nurses' well-being.

Patient or public contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution.

Keywords: SDT; digital applications; mobile applications; nursing; occupational health; self‐determination theory; well‐being.

© 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Advanced Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.