Investigação em história de enfermagem: um contributo do passado para o futuro

We know that nursing care needs more and more research, but few people turn to the historical method to develop their work, although we know that all methods have the same purpose-to give credibility to research. The goal of the present work is, using a methodology of descriptive bibliographic research, to give an overview of the steps involved in the implementation of historical research in nursing, stressing the importance of this type of research in the discovery, consolidation and maturation of the profession. In this type of study, the role of the researcher is fundamental, because s/he will be the main tool for collecting information. Awareness of the difficulties must be present at all points, due to the inherent subjectivity, and the closest possible reconstruction of the phenomena will be essential for its fidelity. We can conclude that the memory of the profession is constructed through historical research and this is always a challenge. Without the past, there is no meaning for the present and we cannot develop a proper understanding either as individuals or as a profession.