We are only as big as our aspirations (reflections on our aspirations)

EDITORIAL

We are only as big as our aspirations (reflections on our aspirations)

Liana Lautert^I; Eva Neri Rubim Pedro^II

^INurse with doctorate in psychology, associate professor IV at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul's Nursing School. Director of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul's Nursing School, 2005/2012, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

^IIAssociate Professor at Nursing School. Vice-diretor of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul's Nursing School (UFRGS), 2005/2012, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

The Revista Gaúcha de Enfermagem (Southern Brazilian Nursing Magazine) is edited and published by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul Nursing School (UFRGS), with support from the school's Research Department. For this reason, upon writing this editorial as 2012 winds to an end, we must mention UFRGS Nursing School, which is celebrating its 62nd anniversary this year and its current director and vice-director, who after eight years are ending their administration of this academic unit and their role as members of this magazine's board of directors.

Over the last eight years there has been a strong collective effort to articulate and integrate teaching, research and extension learning at the nursing school. To this end, teachers have been drawn in who believe firmly in strengthening and consolidating what is already here, but also in being bold with new proposals and projects. This movement began with the discussions towards drawing up a teaching policy project for the bachelor's program in nursing that would favor a diversified education and flexible curricula. To this end, workshops and debates were promoted on the academic routine, class content, teaching methods, grading methods, graduate profiles and many other subjects, culminating in the proposal for reformulation of the course, in 2012.

As the discussions progressed, the need to expand insertion of the school in different forums of society began to be identified, so as to give it visibility and at the same time create structures for students and teachers to exert their potential and undertakings. In this way, collaborative programs and national and international exchanges were stimulated, supported and proposed, partnerships/agreements and protocols were established and cooperative networks with the intention of articulating work were created.

With the purpose of improving nursing in Rio Grande do Sul in graduate studies as well, in 2005, the school's professors created the state's first doctorate program in nursing, which currently has earned a five and is on the verge of earning a six on the graduate program rating scale, and is attracting students from all over Brazil and other countries.

Creativity has been a part of our professors' essence. In 2007, the Ministry of Education launched the Plan of Support towards Reorganization and Expansion of Federal Universities (Reuni), an event that created the impetus for yet another project. And thus, a "new course" was proposed, both at school level and nationwide: the bachelor's degree in collective health, which began in 2009 and in 2012 formed its first class. This course arose from nationwide discussions regarding the need for professionals who could fill some of the gaps in health services and soon led to the demand for a graduate program, which arose in 2011, in the form of the master's in collective health. Still on the topic of graduate studies, 2012 saw the proposal and approval of the first inter-institutional nursing doctoral program.

This encouragement towards innovation was also reflected in research, in ambitious projects, in the growing number of professors with their projects being financed and especially in the excellence of some of the investigations. This demanded thought be given to a periodical of excellence worthy of publishing said results, might it be the Southern Brazilian Nursing Magazine. To this end, it was necessary to engage in intense discussions and studies that led to the refinement of its flow chart, beginning with article submissions, peer evaluation, editing and publication, and especially the magazine's being made available to the community. To this end, the magazine has been available online, free-of-charge, with full articles, on the Scientific Electronic Online Library (Scielo) since 2009, and on the Electronic Magazine Publishing System (SEER) of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, since 1983.

Writing this retrospective of the last eight years has brought the determination and confidence of the Nursing School's community to light. We can see it growing in every dimension, with thriving energy, a desire to challenge preconceptions, boldness and readiness for new challenges.

In closing, we would like to agree with Fernando Pessoa when he states that "All is worthwhile if the soul is not small."

Warm regards to everyone and thank you very much.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  27 Mar 2013
• Date of issue
  Dec 2012