This present study had the objective to identify the employment of the comprehensiveness principle in the nursing educational process. It is a qualitative descriptive-exploratory research performed by means of semi-structured individual interviews with 19 nursing academic members from a university in the south of Brazil. Results demonstrate that nursing education, based on the comprehensiveness principle, presented some fragility that required some rethinking. In the view of academic members it is demonstrated that some teachers, along with some students, apply the comprehensiveness principle to healthcare. However, this perception is not extended to the pedagogical scope. In conclusion, comprehensiveness as a pedagogical principle in nursing education, employed in the teacher-student relationship, is fundamental to building the future professionals' identity, congruent with SUS (Single Health System) principles and must also be considered within pedagogical positioning.
Nursing students; Higher education; Comprehensive health care