Background Increasing numbers of older people admitted to acute hospitals have dementia. For nurses, providing dementia care in acute settings involves unique challenges such as ensuring staff and patient safety and managing the stress caused by insufficient resources.

Aim To explore nurses’ experiences and challenges when caring for patients with dementia in an acute general hospital setting.

Method This study used a qualitative approach and semi-structured interviews to explore participants’ experiences of caring for patients with dementia. All permanent nurses working in three acute medical wards in one NHS trust (n=120) received an email inviting them to take part. Eight nurses volunteered to be interviewed.

Findings Three main themes were extrapolated from the thematic analysis of interview data: attributes of dementia care; planning care effectively; and staff education and training needs. Participants emphasised the importance of person-centred care and the challenges involved in providing such care due to staff shortages, which could result in frustration, exhaustion and stress for both staff and patients.

Conclusion Nurses in acute care settings need additional education and training to improve their knowledge and skills in relation to dementia care. The involvement of families is important for the optimal care of patients with dementia on acute hospital wards.