This study assesses on the early training of nurses and its relationship with the ethical-humanistic paradigm, especially to interpersonal relationships. A descriptive-exploratory qualitative research approach was used. The subjects were graduates and professors in nursing in the city of Curitiba, southern Brazil. The data were collected in 2009, using documentary analysis techniques for the undergraduate nursing program's educational project, the application of a questionnaire among graduates of the college of nursing, and semi-structured interviews conducted among nursing professors at a private college. The data collected were subjected to content analysis, from which three categories emerged: totality/multidimensionality; interdisciplinarity/disciplinarity/dichotomy between theory and practice, interpersonal relations/ interpersonal skills. The results show that both faculty and students realize that the academic training provided is still focused on technical and scientific references, but with a real intent to provide training in skills aimed at human relations. This study allowed the influence of the ethical and humanistic paradigm proposed by the curricular guidelines in the nursing education process to be noted, and reinforced the need for new possibilities to develop ideas capable of serving as the base for educational principles aimed at the totality of being in training and of the person assisted by a health professional.
education; nursing ethical and humanistic paradigm; interpersonal relationships