Portrait of the Graduate Program in Nursing at the Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (1987-2023)

Abstract Objective To analyze the characteristics of scientific productions of thesis and dissertations presented in the Graduate Program in Nursing at the Escola Paulista de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, from 1987 to 2023. Methods This is an observational, retrospective and longitudinal study of a descriptive and exploratory nature, with a quantitative approach of thesis and dissertations defended between 1987 and 2023. The productions are published in the UNIFESP Institutional Repository and in the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel Sucupira Platform. Results A total of 1,051 studies were identified and mapped, including 708 dissertations and 343 thesis. The studies were published between 2009 and 2019, with 81% in the “clinical nursing and healthcare” research line. The studies focus on adult and elder health, especially the population hospitalized in university hospitals. The predominant methodological framework is quantitative studies (69%), with a cross-sectional design (20.5%), followed by the Symbolic Interactionism theoretical framework (59.52%) and the content analysis framework (35%), defended in the period investigated. Conclusion The study highlights the diversity of areas of interest and contributes to understanding the process of institutionalization of graduate studies and academic production as instruments for the professionalization of Brazilian nursing, resulting in the consolidation of nurse identity and nursing knowledge as a specific field of knowledge. The studies reflect a trend of the program for the clinical area. It is possible to recognize the importance of encouraging the development of new research in educational and business settings, among others, to demonstrate the characteristics of studies in this historical trajectory.