Ufsc graduate program in nursing: 45 years of contributions to the internationalization of brazilian nursing

Objective: to analyze the contribution of the Graduate Program in Nursing at Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina to the internationalization of Brazilian nursing. Method: this is a qualitative study of a social historical nature and with a political-documentary basis. The following were used as primary sources: 22 reports (from 1998 to 2020), available in the files of the aforementioned program and in the institutional website of the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, in addition to the five National Graduate Plans; and the secondary source was the article about the 30 years of the Program. The data were analyzed following the thematic content analysis steps, with the aid of the ATLAS.ti® software, version 9.1.5.0. The findings related to the internationalization initiatives carried out within the scope of the Program were interpreted in relation to the macro-policies of Brazilian graduate education. Results: the three analytical categories: Ground zero - The first steps of the Program towards internationalization (1976-1997), Consolidation milestone - Strengthening internationalization strategies (1998-2006), and Excellence milestone - The visibility of internationalization (2007-2020), show the internal and external movements that involved the Program's internationalization process. Conclusion: the contribution of the Graduate Program to the internationalization of Brazilian nursing was based on the commitment of its faculty and students to the profession and its challenges, as well as on a critical perspective at the legal parameters established. The 45-year trajectory, guided by the constitutional bases of international relations, in an original and pioneering way, fostered the development of partnerships, academic advisory and international solidarity. This entire movement exerted a positive impact on the strengthening of the nursing and health science in the world.