This is a qualitative study, using an exploratory approach, which has as its main aim to analyze and counterpoint central issues and personalities of the Brazilian Nursing Conferences and the editorials of the Brazilian Nursing Journal, from 1977 to 1987. It was analyzed 09 annuals and 24 editorials. The results show that the contents were aligned with the policy of the central ABEn. The leadership of Ana Nery School and USP Nursing School is evident in this period. Male nurses had no expressive participation in the nursing conferences, except those who were members of the PARTICIPAÇÃO movement. We found only one editorial written by a male nurse. We observed changes in the central ABEn policy after 1984 provoked by the PARTICIPAÇÃO movement and, influencing the change of subjects at the conferences, and the editorials of the REBEn.
nursing history; Brazilian Nursing Conferences; Brazilian Nursing Journal