Aim To explore nursing students’ experiences of caring for patients from different and often unfamiliar cultural backgrounds. Method Focus group discussions were conducted with nursing students from mental health, learning disability and adult nursing in one university, to obtain qualitative information about areas of difficulty in providing culturally competent care. Findings Nursing students expressed difficulties and challenges meeting the cultural needs of patients, with particular focus on issues related to language, food and gender. Conclusion Nursing students need to prepare for work in a culturally diverse healthcare setting and should receive education and training in this area to ensure ongoing personal and professional development.