Violence is an issue that is attracting increasing attention in the nursing literature. There is general agreement that nurses are exposed to unacceptable levels of violence and aggression in the workplace, and that levels of violence are increasing. Despite this attention and awareness, however, violence does not have a standard definition, and theoretical explanations of violence are seldom considered when discussing it in relation to nursing. This paper discusses current issues associated with defining violence, and presents an overview of some of the traditional and contemporary theories of aggression and violence in relation to nursing and the health context. Conflicting issues surrounding predictors and precipitators of violence are examined. We explore the notion that violence is 'part of the job' in nursing. In conclusion, we assert that the current discourses on aggression and violence maintain the status quo, and argue that new explanatory positions on aggression and violence towards nurses are needed.