AIMS: This article reports results of a study of contributing factors and associated behaviours in specific clinical areas to resistance to care episodes. BACKGROUND: Resistance to Care has previously been studied in aged care settings, and previous studies have reported patient behaviours and appropriate responses. Resistance to Care is a defensive response by patients towards healthcare staff and is demonstrated in various non-compliant behaviours. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of nurses (n = 5044), who were members of the New South Wales Nursesʼ Association in Australia, was conducted in 2008–2009. RESULTS: Resistance to Care episodes occur in various clinical settings and may be precipitated by a range of clinical diagnoses and symptoms. They may also be triggered during various nursing activities that nurses recognize as high-risk for these episodes. CONCLUSION: The reported Resistance to Care behaviours are similar to those reported in studies of aggression and violence; however, they require a substantially different response by nurses in various clinical contexts.