Background: Delirium is a common condition in intensive care patients with symptoms such as confusion,hallucination, and insomnia. About 80% of patients admitted to the intensive care unit suffer fromdelirium, with an increased risk of mental and physical ill-health as a result. Identifying delirium in goodtime is a good prerequisite for both the care provider and the care recipient to reduce suffering incare.

Purpose: The purpose of the literature study is to shed light on intensive care nurses' experience ofcaring for adult patients with delirium.Method: Literature study with a qualitative structured approach based on scientific articles.

Results: Emerged from five subcategories and two categories describing the following: experience ofinadequacy and the time for recovery.

Conclusion: Caring for delirious patients is time-consuming and stressful for intensive care nurses.Opportunities and conditions to be able to provide optimal care require an extent of less work-relatedstress and various trainings that identify delirium.