This descriptive-exploratory study aims to analyze knowledge production on the nursing process based on Master's theses and doctoral dissertations defended in Brazilian graduate nursing programs, using the reports of the Nursing Study and Research Center (CEPEn) issued from 1972 to 2007, and to diagnose publications in indexed databases. We found 122 Master's theses, with 42 publications, and 26 Doctoral dissertations, with 15 publications. More publications were found as from 2000, with a prevalence of qualitative research. The most evidenced thematic trend was the nursing assistance, with surveys, nursing diagnosis validation and all phases of the process as the most addressed topics. Publications on the theme display gaps, mainly in knowledge production surveys. Research analyzing this interface may possibility qualify the nursing process in practice.
Nursing research; Nursing care; Periodicals
