Expansion of higher education in Brazil: increase in the number of Undergraduate Nursing courses.

OBJECTIVE This study analyzed the increase in the number of undergraduate nursing courses during the last two decades due to the expansion of higher education in Brazil. METHOD A records-based research concerning the legal frameworks that have driven this movement and a quantitative research that described the increase in the number of professional nursing courses. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis (qualitative) and descriptive statistics (quantitative). RESULTS the political-ideological argument present in the regulatory documents, which points out higher education as a possibility to change the current social scenario, has not been reflected in the professional nursing field. The expansion of nursing courses has been unfolding in a disorderly manner and is concentrated in the private sector, with geographical inequality in the distribution of these courses. CONCLUSION There does not seem to be a concern with the local needs and with a connection among education, research and extension, which compromises the quality of the education provided to future nurses.