title: Expansion of higher education in Brazil: increase in the number of Undergraduate Nursing courses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study analyzed the increase in the number of undergraduate nursing courses during the last two decades due to the expansion of higher education in Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  A records-based research concerning the legal frameworks that have driven this movement and a quantitative research that described the increase in the number of professional nursing courses. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis (qualitative) and descriptive statistics (quantitative).
  
  
  RESULTS
  the political-ideological argument present in the regulatory documents, which points out higher education as a possibility to change the current social scenario, has not been reflected in the professional nursing field. The expansion of nursing courses has been unfolding in a disorderly manner and is concentrated in the private sector, with geographical inequality in the distribution of these courses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There does not seem to be a concern with the local needs and with a connection among education, research and extension, which compromises the quality of the education provided to future nurses.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal da Bahia, Escola de Enfermagem, BA, Brazil. dumet@ufba.br
authors.forename: Josicélia Dumêt
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Giselle Alves da Silva
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Mary Gomes
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Raíssa Millena Silva
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Florêncio
authors.forename: Rosana Maria de Oliveira
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Darci de Oliveira Santa
authors.initials: Dde O
authors.lastname: Rosa
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D003479:Curriculum / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*