Postgraduate programs in nursing in Brazil and in the Northeast of Brazil

Abstract

This descriptive-exploratory study aimed at describing the current situation of postgraduate programs in nursing in Brazil, particularly in the Northeast of Brazil, in terms of trends and expansion perspectives. Statistical data of 2003 were collected using registration tool on Stricto Sensu Postgraduate Programs in Nursing, made available by official research-sponsoring agencies Coordenation for the Improvement of Undergraduate Level Personnel (CAPES) and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). The results indicated extensive asymmetriesin the Brazilian Post-Graduation System, showing that the expansion of postgraduate programs in nursing in the Northeast of Brazil results from the response capacity to the official demands of the present national post-graduation system.