A NURSE is being forced to quit her "dream job" after she was attacked three times in a year, leaving her terrified to set foot on a hospital ward.

Wendy Boulton's career is in ruins after she became a victim of the rising tide of violence against staff.

The 42-year-old suffered three violent attacks by patients at Sunderland Royal Hospital, leaving her so traumatised she is unable to return to work.

Ms Boulton, from Fence Houses, near Sunderland, dreamed of making a difference to patients' lives when she qualified two years ago.

But she has been on sick leave for six months after being punched, scratched, kicked and shoved to the floor by violent male patients.

She suffered panic attacks when she tried to go back to work and is pinning her hopes on getting a nursing job away from the wards.

City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust, which runs Sunderland Royal Hospital and Eye Infirmary, had 338 attacks last year.

Ms Boulton said: "I'm not the only one who has been assaulted and it doesn't always get reported. You think 'it's just part of the job'."

She had worked on an elderly care ward at Sunderland Royal Hospital since becoming a qualified staff nurse in March 2003.

A spokesman for City Hospitals Sunderland said: "Violence against staff is totally unacceptable. We sympathise greatly with Wendy and are providing help and support in finding a suitable position for her."