Background: Around 40 000 patients was cared for in intensive care units in Sweden 2019. About 14,000 of them were cared for in a respirator, where some were cared for awake. Respirators and other devices at the intensive care unit create an environment around the patient. Patients who are cared for awake in a respirator have shorter care time and less risk for complications, but it is important to know how being awake in a respirator is experienced.

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the experience of patient being cared for awake in a respirator at the intensive care unit.

Method: The method was based on nine articles with qualitative research and the analysis was based on Friberg´s five-stage model.

Results: The study resulted in three main themes; The importance of communication, To be affected by the environment and To need support. The result showed that patients experienced frustration of not being able to communicate verbally, then different communication methods can reduce patients' terrible feelings. The environment at the intensive care unit had a negative effect on the patient's health and led to fatigue and sleep scarcity. Family´s and care staff support increased the feeling of well-being in the patients.

Conclusion: Respirator treatment affects the psychical health of the patients who being cared for awake in a respirator. The nurse can support the patients by being vicinity to them, being patient and being calm during the communication with them, which leads to increased feeling of well-being.