Background: Mental illness is a widespread problem all over our society and day by day the numbers are increasing. Suicide is the most severe consequences of mental illness. In Sweden, every day three people die due to suicide. A registered nurse will meet and care for a suicidal patient, regardless of their workplace. The authors of this literature study wanted to contribute towards the devolvement of care for suicidal patients. Therefore, the authors considered it important to explore and highlight suicidal patients' experiences of care.

Aim: The aim of this study was to highlight patients experiences of care while being in the suicidal process.

Method:A literature study with a qualitative approach was used. This was accomplished by analyzing 12 qualitative articles that focused on suicidal patients' experiences of care.

Results: The results indicate that patients had both positive and negative experiences of care, based on their communication with nurses and the relationships that developed between them. The result emerged into two main themes “Healthcare as a safe space” and “Inadequate care”. Within the main themes, seven subthemes emerged.

Conclusion: The prominent parts of this study were the importance of knowledge, courage and openness from the nurse, while meeting a suicidal patient. Helping the patient in the fight with mental illness is necessary and sometimes lifesaving. We believe that this study can be used as a guide before meeting and caring for a suicidal patient