Background Patient-centered care refers to individuals actively participating in the healthcare system, making personal decisions, and developing collaborative relationships with healthcare professionals.Aim This study aimed to investigate the relationship between patient-centered care and patient satisfaction and trust in nurses among adult patients.Method This study was conducted using a descriptive correlational design. The sample consisted of 361 patients hospitalized in a university hospital between March 2025 and July 2025. Eleven participants were excluded due to incomplete data collection forms or withdrawal from the study; therefore, data from 350 patients were included in the analysis. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire that included a Personal Information Form, the Patient-Centered Care Scale, the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire, and the Trust in Nurses Scale. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage), Independent Samples t-test, One-Way ANOVA, Kruskal–Walli’s test, Pearson correlation analysis, and regression analyses.Results Of the patients participating in the study, 51.1% (n = 179) were aged 42–65 years, 48.0% (n = 168) resided in the city center, 83.4% (n = 292) had social security coverage, 52.6% (n = 184) knew the name of the nurse providing their care, and 89.7% (n = 314) reported trusting the nurse responsible for their care. The mean total score of the Patient-Centered Care Scale was 3.96 ± 0.65, the mean total score of the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire was 3.60 ± 0.82, and the mean total score of the Trust in Nurses Scale was 25.04 ± 4.24. The study found a statistically significant positive correlation between patient-centered care and patient satisfaction (r = 0.642, p < 0.001), as well as between patient-centered care and trust in nurses (r = 0.594, p < 0.001).Conclusion The findings indicate that as the level of patient-centered care increases, patient satisfaction and trust in nurses also increase.Trial registration: Not applicable.