Do zero tolerance policies deskill nurses?

Although much has been written about patient aggression, its management remains problematic, with many healthcare providers adopting a "zero tolerance" approach. This article uses case studies to discuss: the negative implications associated with this policy; the background to patient aggression and other "challenging" behaviours; how nurses, midwives and other health professionals respond to them; and how they can reclaim their professional role in this important aspect of patient care.