[Graduate program in nursing at the Federal University of Santa Maria: trajectory and results].

A quantitative, descriptive, exploratory study based on documentation that aims to report the history of the Graduate Program in Nursing (PPGENF), Federal University of Santa Maria according to the national scenario. The data was collected through queries to different sites on the Internet and secretary of PPGENE. The program was created in 2006, and in the first triennium there has been an increase in the number of vacancies and candidates, and concentration of the publications was given in qualis B1 and A2. Actions have been developed such as discussions, seminars, conferences and workshops aimed at strengthening the program and subsequent integration of faculty/student, academic and professional nursing. This program is contributing to the expansion and strengthening of nursing in the Rio Grande as its egresses are inserted in institutions of higher education, or PhD in health care public and private.