This study explored ten registered nurses’ experiences of di- alogues with inpatients in psychiatric care. Data were collected through four focus group discussions, and two individual inter- views. The nurses described contradictions between their nursing ideals about dialogues and the reality faced in psychiatric inpatient care, resulting in an unsatisfactory work situation and feelings of insufficiency. We conclude that in order to improve quality of care and increase well-being for both patients and health care workers, nursing interventions, such as dialogues and meaningful activities, need to be offered to patients. A management that is visible and present on-site should encourage and facilitate health care work- ers’ participation in clinical supervision.