Objective To systematically review ICU-nurse lightly sedated patients, in order to provide evidence for sedation. Methods Databases were searched including The Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Institute Library, PubMed, EMbase, Ovid, ELSEVIER CMB, CNKI and WANFAN from inception to May 2018, to collect qualitative studies in the experience of ICU nurses lightly sedated patients. The quality of included studies was evaluated according to JBI Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative studies in Australia. The results were integrated by integrating methods. Results A total of seven studies were included. Thirty-five complete findings were grouped according to their similarities to form six categories. These categories resulted in two synthesized findings: Despite the complexity and unknowns of care, critical care nurses were slowly accepting the fact and try to cope with; there were some barriers on the implementation of sedation, there should have a multi-party collaboration. Conclusions the heath management system should pay more attention to implementing light sedation strategies, ICU-nurses should be given support, guidance and encouragement.