Background: In the multicultural Sweden, meetings between nurses and patients who do not speak the same language take place daily. Previous research shows that in this type of meeting, challenging situations can arise that can negatively affect the patient's health and create insecurity. Language barriers make it difficult for the patient to participate in their own care because the patients are unable to express their need for care. The use of body language and interpreters can facilitate communication, but difficulties may arise. Aim: To describe nurses' experiences of caring for patients who do not have a common language with the nurses. Method: Qualitative literature study with descriptive synthesis, based on 11 scientific articles. Results: The study resulted in two themes “Challenges in care” and “Strategies in care” where nurses described that well-functioning communication was the basis for safe and secure care and experienced challenges and difficulties when common language with patients was lacking. Nurses used different approaches to communicate with and understand patients' needs for care. Conclusion: Language barriers were considered to be a factor that limited the opportunities for a caring relationship between nurses and patients. Communication difficulties affected the ability of nurses to provide good and safe care, however, language barriers could be eased with the help of strategies and the use of interpreters.