The present study is a descriptive and exploratory research which has as its objective accomplishing a critical analysis of the magazine "Texto e Contexto - Enfermagem" (Nursing - Text and Context), as a thematic option. Eighteen issues of the magazine, published between 1992 and 2000, were analyzed. Two instruments were used to evaluate the interrelation of the themes with the lines of research of the Post Graduation Program of Nursing in the Federal University of Santa Catarina (PEN/UFSC) in Brazil; the type of articles published; and the origin and profile of the authors of the magazine. It was verified that: the themes in the magazine are linked to the lines of research of PEN/UFSC; the average of articles published per issue is 23, 88%; the majority of the articles are reflections and researches; most of the authors have a masters or doctors degree and do not teach at UFSC; and the rejection rate of the articles was 11, 86%. The magazine bears most of the essential and complementary criteria established by CAPES and has great acceptance of among the Brazilian scientific community, since it brought a new dimension to the health care publications.
nursing; nursing periodics; nursing magazines