An investigation of professional nursing training was carried out by examining the time spent in nursing school of the 336 students registered at the Nursing College of Ribeirão Preto at University of São Paulo from 1984 to 1988. The data showed that during this time 197 (58.6%) students graduated, two students were still enrolled, 26 (7.7%) transferred to other schools, 15 (4.4%) officially interrupted their course of study, and 96 (28.5%) abandoned the school.
nursing education; nursing staff student; dropouts
