Introduction: Violence and intimidation by patients against staff in the health care units is a major problem, but despite this, it is difficult to find literature that illustrates the problem. Purpose: The aim was to describe the nurses' experience of violence in her/his workplace with patients with mental illness. Method: This qualitative interview study was, analyzed inductively using qualitative content analysis. Results: The result shows that the nurses have different experience of threats and violence within the health care. Four categories emerged; difficult to do ones work, nurses play down, threat create fear, the feeling of frustration and eight subcategories. These, ended up in the theme meeting as a tool and possibility. The fear and uncertainty that some nurses experienced as the biggest barrier to reach the patients, since these feelings can cause attitude towards the patients that the nurses will carry with them long after. The nurse then feels frustrated that she/he doesn't know what the reason is for the mentally ill patient to be so angry. Conclusion: The conclusion of the study Threats and Violence in healthcare generally creates an insecure working environment for nurses and can prevent a professional approach. Some nurses have internal ability to handle the situation with violent patients, while other nurses wish more training about the treatments and communications. Training about how mutual trust can be created to help the nurse identify a violent behavior and prevent this in timely manner before the encounter turns into a threatening situation.