From 1977 through 1980, in the S. PAULO UNIVERSITY NURSING SCHOOL, an alternative teaching strategy has been developed for use in the Licenciature Course for nurses (in which a practical approach is emphasized). An important part of that program consists in requesting from each of the students the engagement in an original research work and, subsequently, the writing of a paper on the subject. All the submitted papers are evaluated and the students are advised on any necessary improvements for future publication.