Background: End of life care is the type of care a patient receives when there is no treatment that can cure the disease of the patient and the only option is symptomatic treatment that minimizes further suffering and pain. End of life care originates from hospice care but has developed over the years to treat other diseases that have no cure. The nurses’ goal is to treat not only the disease but also the whole human, and to be aware of the patients’ needs so nurses can customize care to the patient during end-of-life care.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine nurses’ experiences during the meeting with patients at the end of their life.

Method: Literature-based study based on qualitative research method and analysis, the study included 11 articles based on nurses’ experiences.

Results: Nurses experienced emotionalstrain, inadequacy and powerlessness. This created reflections about death and difficulty finding a balance between professionalism and humanity. They experienced a lack of education and lack of time while caring for patients during the end of life. The nurses’ also experienced feelings of significance and meaning.

Conclusion: Nurses experienced inadequacy due to lack of time and training. The nurses experienced emotional stress and powerlessness which was based on a lack of support and lack of training. They experienced feelings of significance and meaning when the nurses could contribute to the patients’ feelings of well-being and security.