The article analyzes the scholarship on the history of nursing in Brazil produced by research groups from 1999 to 2009. A descriptive and documental study of an exploratory nature was conducted, using version 5.0 of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development's directory of research groups as well as the individual curricula of lead researchers, as available on the Lattes Platform. The result was the identification of 34 research groups, which produced 2,206 articles, 230 books, 745 book chapters, and 1,603 complete papers and expanded abstracts. The study found 394 specific articles on the history of nursing which explored the following topics: professional identity, education, institutionalization, specialties, and organizing bodies. It is concluded that the dissemination and socialization of this knowledge indicate that the area already has firm roots, even if all the articles were not directly related to the history of nursing.
research groups; history of nursing; history; scientific production
