[Analysis of knowledge production on the nursing process: exploratory descriptive study].

This descriptive exploratory study aims to analyze the production of knowledge on the nursing process, based on Master's theses and doctoral dissertations presented in Brazilian graduate programs in Nursing, using the reports of the Nursing Study and Research Center (CEPEn) from 1972 to 2007, and to identify which were published in indexed databases. We found 122 Master's theses, 42 of which were published, and 26 Doctoral dissertations, with 15 publications. From the year 2000 on more publications were found, with a prevalence of qualitative research. The prevalent thematic trend was nursing assistance, with surveys and validation of nursing diagnosis, as well as the other phases of the process, as the most addressed topics. Publications on the theme show gaps, especially in surveying knowledge production. Researches that study this interface may possibly qualify the practice of nursing.