Background: Mental illness is a growing public health issue that often encounters limited understanding within somatic emergency care. Individuals suffering from mental illness frequently report not being taken seriously and experiencing inadequate treatment. Nurses play a central role in providing equitable, safe, and person-centered care, but encounters with this patient group are often perceived as challenging.

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe nurses’ experiences of encountering and caring for individuals suffering from mental illness in somatic emergency care.

Method: The study was conducted as a general literature review based on ten qualitative articles published between 2015 and 2025. The material was analyzed thematically according to Braun and Clarke to identify patterns in nurses’ experiences of caring for individuals with mental illness in somatic emergency care.

Results: Five subthemes were identified: nurses’ experiences of fear and uncertainty, time constraints and high workload, nurses' experiences of resource shortages, need for competence development, and communication and relationship with the patient. These factors affect safety, quality of care, and the work environment.

Conclusion: To improve care, increased psychiatric competence, organizational support, and a person-centered approach that promotes empathy, respect, and safety in the nurse–patient encounter are needed.