The aim of this study was to illuminate how patients with mental illness experience encounters with the nurse in psychiatric care, in order to acquire increased understanding for the patients needs. A litterature study was used to analyse previously published scientific articles within psychiatric nursing care. Content analysis inspired by Graneheim and Lundman was used to perform the analysis. The result showed that the patients recovery depended on the relationship with the nurse. If the relationship was good, the patient was moore likely to regain his mental health, than if the relationship with the nurse was poor. If the nurse was able to take the time for the good conversation, the relationship was moore likely to carry out well. In order to do so, the nurse had to have gained the patients trust. If the nurse had an open attitude and a good dialogue with the patient, he could grow and acquire insight and learn to live with his mental illness. More empirical studies on patients experiences of psychiatric care are needed so that nurses can gain a deeper understanding for how to best meet these patients needs.