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Background: In forensic psychiatric care, coercive measures are both ethically and practically complex for nurses to manage. Although such measures are considered necessary to protect the patient and others from harm, they restrict patient autonomy and may damage the therapeutic relationship. Aim: To describe nurses’ experiences of the therapeutic relationship in the context of coercive measures within forensic psychiatric inpatient care. Method: A qualitative design with an inductive approach was used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten nurses. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The analysis of nurses’ experiences resulted in an overarching theme: Protecting the therapeutic relationship in connection with coercive measures, as well as five categories and eight subcategories. Conclusion: Having established a strong therapeutic relationship with the patient over time reduces the risk of permanent damage to the relationship in connection with coercive measures; in some cases, the relationship may even be strengthened.