Influence of curricular reforms in mental health nursing education between 1969 and 2014.

Objective To analyze the influence of curricular changes in mental health nursing education at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Method Qualitative research, exploratory and descriptive. Data were collected in official ordinances in the Pedagogical Projects of the Nursing Course and in the Teaching Plans in the period from 1969 to 2014. The data collection was carried out between the months of March and December 2015. We used a spreadsheet to organize the data and they were analyzed according to the technique of documentary analysis. Results Trends in curricular changes were highlighted after the Curricular and Psychiatric Reforms. The most significant changes occurred since 2004 with the National Curriculum Guidelines and Law 10.2016. Conclusion It was found that the curricular changes occurred from induction and from outside the educational institution policies. The influences resulted in changes in the name of courses, course offerings and course objectives, and integration between courses and practical settings, among others.