Objective: The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore and describe mental health nurses' interventions in the management of patients who were experiencing anxiety in two inpatient mental health hospital facilities. Method:For this study, data were collected through in-depth interviews with nursing staff who were working in these two inpatient mental health facilities within the same health service. Nurses' reflections on what strategies they perceived to be effective nursing interventions for patients experiencing anxiety were the focus of the study. Thirty nurses participated in the study; of these were three males (3) and twenty-seven females (27). Levels of experience varied from 1-25 years. Results:The results highlighted the importance of assessment, interpersonal skills and empathy, and the over-arching core concept of the importance of developing a therapeutic relationship with patients. The results identified the importance of facilitative mental health nurse/patient interactions to assist in the promotion, maintenance and restoration of patients' mental health. Conclusions:This preliminary study suggests that appropriately educated and clinically supervised mental health nurses can provide effective early interventions to patients who are experiencing anxiety in hospital settings. The significance of this research was to identify effective nursing interventions for patients who were experiencing anxiety whilst in hospital.

Objectives: A majority of women entering the hospital emergency departments and walk-in clinics in Sydney are likely to have a history of domestic violence. Domestic violence involves a physical injury, emotional and/or psychological threat by a male partner. The aim is to identify this group of women and to intervene early by referring them to counseling and other services.

Method: A prospective study was conducted to screen women of domestic violence who agreed to participate and who were accessing the Emergency Department during three months of the study period in May to July 2011. The validated Hurt Insult Threatening Screening tool (HITS) consisting of 4 questions was used. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and two-group comparisons. The incidence and one month cumulative prevalence rates of DV were calculated with 95% confidence interval and correlates of DV were examined.

Results: Of 239 women in Sydney, who previously sought emergency care and completed the questionnaires, 102 (47%) had experienced threats or injuries from a current male partner in their lives. Physicians and nurses in emergency department failed to detect the history of domestic violence in women seeking treatment. Of the 239 women in the study with a male partner, 11.7% accessed the emergency room for acute domestic violence, but only 13% of these said they either told or were asked about domestic violence by the health practitioner.