The present article discusses the themes that have orientated knowledge building in nursing in Brazil. The data was collected in post-graduation programs, graduation schools, university hospitals and indexed publications in LILACS and MEDLINE's database (1990-1999). Cardoso categorized the lines and areas of research according to a document created in nursing forums of discussion. The data was analyzed through a qualitative and quantitative approach, and presented in the form of graphics. Results indicate a shift on the lines/areas of research, especially in the case of researches that are indexed. It also demonstrates a special attention of this professional area to methodological references and paradigms that relate to the object of knowledge in nursing.
nursing; research; lines of research