Background: As a nurse in healthcare, it is important to have an insight into the circumstances of refugees and how it can affect their mental health. Laws and guidelines currently limit refugees the access to mental care and as the world's refugee flow is increasing so are the mental illness of refugee. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe nurses' experiences of caring for patients with a refugee background in mental health care.Methods: A qualitative methodology and design were chosen where seven nurses who worked in mental health care were individually interviewed. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed based on qualitative content analysis. Results: Based on qualitative content analysis, four categories were formed with a total of eleven subcategories. The four categories highlighted the meeting with the patient, challenges in the nurse´s professional role, what was required to work with the patient and the interaction within and outside the workplace. Conclusion: The study showed shortcomings that nurses noted in contact with patients with refugee background in the mental health care. Current care was not found to be adequate for patients and needs were expressed for more structured care and more support for nurses in their work.