A nurse in a graduation cap caring for patients, symbolizing nursing education and the Brazilian healthcare system.

Nursing Education: Bridging the Gap Between Curriculum and Real-World Healthcare

Soraya Malik in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into how nursing education is evolving to meet the demands of a changing healthcare landscape and the pivotal role of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS)."

The Brazilian Sanitary Reform, which began in the late 1970s, emerged as a response to widespread dissatisfaction among healthcare professionals, workers, and citizens. It addressed critical issues such as citizen rights, access to healthcare services, and the overall structure of the Brazilian health system. This movement led to significant studies and research highlighting the intricate relationships between health and social structures.

By the early 1980s, Integrated Health Actions (AIS) were developed, marking the first strategic design for co-management, decentralization, and universal healthcare access. The landmark VIII National Health Conference further solidified the fight for health reform, ultimately leading to the creation of the Unified Health System (SUS).

The SUS, born from the Brazilian Sanitary Reform and enshrined in the 1988 Constitution, partially incorporated the movement's proposals. It defined health as a social right guaranteed by the State through public economic and social policies, ensuring access to health services for all Brazilians.

The Evolution of Nursing Education in Brazil

A nurse in a graduation cap caring for patients, symbolizing nursing education and the Brazilian healthcare system.

A bibliometric study was conducted to identify trends and gaps in nursing education research. This study analyzed theses and dissertations cataloged in the Center for Studies and Research in Nursing (CEPEN) from 2003 to 2007, focusing on how nursing education addresses the National Curricular Guidelines (DCN) within the context of the SUS. The research aimed to understand how educational programs are adapting to meet the demands of the Brazilian public health system.

The study reviewed 2,218 thesis abstracts, selecting 27 that met specific inclusion criteria related to nursing education, the SUS, and the DCN guidelines. These were analyzed quantitatively (institution, publication year, degree type, research type) and qualitatively (themes, theoretical framework). The analysis revealed several key findings:

A majority of the studies (89%) employed qualitative research methods.
Most data collection involved interviews (open or semi-structured), followed by documentary analysis, participant observation, and focus groups.
The dominant theoretical frameworks included hermeneutics, dialectics, and the analysis of content from Bardin, as well as the theoretical analysis of speech from Fiorin.
Six studies specifically investigated competencies and skills, addressing general competencies, healthcare attention, administration, management, and interdisciplinarity.

The study highlighted several critical areas. Public institutions are actively involved in researching the quality of nursing education. There is a need to strengthen the integration between educational institutions and healthcare services to better align competencies with the demands of the workforce. Faculty development is essential to meet the requirements of the DCN and the Political Pedagogical Project. Creating collective experiences is vital for the development of competencies.

Conclusion: Charting the Future of Nursing Education

This bibliometric study serves as a valuable resource for researchers and academics, fostering reflection on nursing education and highlighting the urgent need for expanded research in this field. These findings underscore the importance of aligning nursing education with the principles of the SUS to ensure that nursing professionals are well-prepared to meet the healthcare needs of the Brazilian population. Further studies are needed to evaluate the outcomes of nursing education programs and their impact on the quality of healthcare delivery.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s0034-71672012000300019, Alternate LINK

Title: Produção Do Conhecimento Acerca Da Formação Do Enfermeiro: Um Estudo Bibliométrico

Subject: General Nursing

Journal: Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Margarete Maria De Lima, Alexsandro Barreto Almeida, Monica De Oliveira Giovannetti, Vania Marli Schubert Backes, Daiana Kloh

Published: 2012-06-01

Everything You Need To Know

What were the key drivers behind the Brazilian Sanitary Reform, and what critical issues did it address?

The Brazilian Sanitary Reform was a significant movement that started in the late 1970s. It was driven by healthcare professionals, workers, and citizens concerned about issues like citizen rights, healthcare access, and the structure of the Brazilian health system. This reform led to crucial studies highlighting the links between health and social structures and eventually influenced the creation of the Unified Health System (SUS).

How was the Unified Health System (SUS) established, and what fundamental principle does it enshrine regarding healthcare access in Brazil?

The Unified Health System (SUS) emerged from the Brazilian Sanitary Reform and was formalized in the 1988 Constitution. It defines health as a social right guaranteed by the State, ensuring that all Brazilians have access to health services through public economic and social policies. It partially incorporated proposals from the reform movement.

What was the methodology used in the bibliometric study to assess nursing education's alignment with the National Curricular Guidelines (DCN) and the Unified Health System (SUS)?

The bibliometric study analyzed theses and dissertations from the Center for Studies and Research in Nursing (CEPEN) between 2003 and 2007. It focused on how nursing education addresses the National Curricular Guidelines (DCN) within the context of the Unified Health System (SUS). The study examined 27 abstracts related to nursing education, SUS, and DCN, using both quantitative and qualitative methods, including interviews and documentary analysis.

According to the study, what key areas need improvement to better prepare nursing professionals for the demands of the Brazilian healthcare system, and what further research is recommended?

The study highlighted the need to strengthen the integration between educational institutions and healthcare services to better align nursing competencies with workforce demands. It also emphasized the importance of faculty development to meet the requirements of the National Curricular Guidelines (DCN) and the Political Pedagogical Project, along with creating collective experiences for competency development. Further research is needed to evaluate the outcomes of nursing education programs and their impact on healthcare quality.

Besides highlighting research trends, what specific theoretical frameworks informed the study's analysis, and what additional aspects of nursing education could be explored to enhance its alignment with the Unified Health System (SUS)?

The study utilized various theoretical frameworks, including hermeneutics, dialectics, and content analysis from Bardin, as well as the theoretical analysis of speech from Fiorin. While the study provides insights into research trends and gaps in nursing education, it does not delve into specific pedagogical strategies or detailed curriculum designs that could further enhance the alignment of nursing education with the needs of the Unified Health System (SUS). Future research could explore these areas to provide more practical guidance for educators and policymakers.