Background: Each year about 90 000–100 000 people die in Sweden, the majority of these people are in need of palliative care. Nurses have a responsibility to ensure that patients’ keeps the dignity. Knowledge about patients’ experiences of palliative care are of great importance for the nurse to be able to meet their individual needs and desires. Aim: The aim of this study was to highlight adult patients’ experiences of being in palliative phase. Method: A literature study with the aim to contribute to evidence based care with an analysis based on qualitative research were used. Seven scientific articles were analyzed. Results: The results showed that patients in a palliative phase felt a need of being involved in their care, to make their own choices and to be heard. Many patients felt like a burden to their family, and found it difficult to ask for help. The lack of independency in the end of life was central, and the patients experienced that in different ways. Also, the spiritual and existential questions emerge to the patients, leaving them in acceptance of the situation, or the opposite – to find it hard to accept the fact that this was the end. Conclusions: Patients in a palliative phase is part of a multi-dimensional context. As a nurse, working personcentered creates a good foundation for being able to apply holistic nursing, relieving suffering and promoting a dignified death, given the patient’s individual needs.