<p>Forensic psyhiatric care protects the society by giving patients care to diminish risks of serious crimes. In their work the nurses use different care methods to help and support the patient in managing his or her life situation. To clarify how a group of nurses describe the nursing process in forensic psychiatric care. A qualitative study based on interviews. Six nurses were interviewed about their work in four different forensic psychiatric care units. The nursing process in is divided into four categories: evaluation, planning, implementation and assessment. The results are based on the way the interviewed nurses described the essential roles of nurse-patient relationship and structured routines in nursing process. The study also shows some specific difficulties in nursing work, for example the mental dysfunctions of patients, the level of competence among staff and the patients need for social interaction and existence beyond their specific needs.</p>

Forensic psyhiatric care protects the society by giving patients care to diminish risks of serious crimes. In their work the nurses use different care methods to help and support the patient in managing his or her life situation. To clarify how a group of nurses describe the nursing process in forensic psychiatric care. A qualitative study based on interviews. Six nurses were interviewed about their work in four different forensic psychiatric care units. The nursing process in is divided into four categories: evaluation, planning, implementation and assessment. The results are based on the way the interviewed nurses described the essential roles of nurse-patient relationship and structured routines in nursing process. The study also shows some specific difficulties in nursing work, for example the mental dysfunctions of patients, the level of competence among staff and the patients need for social interaction and existence beyond their specific needs.