[The Ribeirao Preto Nursing School of the University of Sao Paulo: center for collaboration with the World Health Organization].

The objectives of this article were to divulge the Nursing School of Ribeirão Preto University of São Paulo as a World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Nursing Research Development and to contribute to is history, by registering the facts concerning this designation. Based on the theoretical framework about the influence of external environment in organizations of excellence, some factors that guide such designation by World Health Organization are identified. Since the concept of Collaborating Center was expressed, this Center is characterized by its Reference Terms and compromises accomplished from 1988 through 1992, considering the tendencies and perspectives.