The evaluation of higher education in Brazil and the expansion of higher education in Nursing

Abstract

This work has as its objective to discuss the expansion of the higher education in Nursing, and the role played in the process by the evaluation system, under the perspective of the Evaluation Advisory Commission of the Area of Nursing of the National Institute of Educational Studies and Research "Anísio Teixeira" (INEP). The study compiled the evolution in the number of courses and places in higher education, particularly for Nursing, based on INEP data; through interviews, the essential aspects of the thinking of the members of the Commission were assessed in what concerns the expansion of higher education in Nursing and as to the current evaluation policy. Between 1994 and 2003 the increase in the number of institutions of higher education was of 118%; of 195% in the number of undergraduate courses, and of 207% in the number of Nursing undergraduate courses in the country. Between 1991 and 2004, the number of places in undergraduate Nursing courses jumped from 7,460 to 70,400, with an uneven distribution among the various Brazilian regions; such increase took place mainly in private institutions, linked to market interest, and without the evaluation and regulation process being fully implemented. Part of the members of the Commission believes that it is necessary to create more courses, since the number of nurses is still insufficient. They express, however, concern over the chaotic proliferation of courses, and over the concrete conditions for the training and work of nurses.