Mental illness is a major public health problem worldwide, and the incidence is expected to rise. Nurse's attitude and nursing plays important role in the patient's well-being and can affect the delay of diagnosis and treatment. The aim was to highlight the nurse's attitude and nursing of people with mental illness in general hospitals. The method was a literature review in which eight articles of qualitative and quantitative design was used as the basis. Articles were found in the databases PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO. The results showed mixed attitudes of nurses towards mental illness. The negative attitudes proved particularly by difficulties in communicating with the patient. Lack of knowledge and experience were identified as a source of negative attitudes while professional experience and personal experience showed increased positive attitudes.