The aim of this study was to explore experiences of
threats and violence and their consequences among nurses
in the Swedish trauma ward setting. Threatening situations
experienced by the nurses at the trauma ward unit
ranged from understated threats to violent acts on the part
of patients or relatives toward the nurses themselves or
fellow patients at the unit. Similar findings have been described
in previous studies in different parts of the world
( Hahn et al., 2012 ; McPhaul & Lipscomb, 2004 ; Pich et al.,
2010 ). These studies also concluded that the nursing profession
as an occupational group is at high risk due to the
work-related hazards of threats and violence.
The feeling of being in threatening, insecure situations
was especially emphasized in caring for patients from
a criminal context. Even if these patients did not show