The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation's annual conference begins today in Sligo
Nurses say hospital overcrowding has led to an increase in violence and threats towards them.
Victims will give their personal experiences at the INMO's annual conference in Sligo, which begins today.
There were over 3,700 attacks on nurses in the HSE last year.
Nurses are calling for a state watchdog to be given more powers to clamp down on violence towards them.
Naas resident, Phil Ni Sheaghdha , the general secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, says the problem is getting worse:
Director of Professional Services, INMO, Tony Fitzpatrick spoke about the issues facing nurse and midwives on Wednesday morning's Kildare Today: