[Nursing research in the Americas]

The purpose of the article was to identify a problematic, challenges and strategies recommended in those texts and analysis the applicability of such recommendations reflected on papers published from 2005-2008. A thematic analysis was applied to the full texts available on LILACS data base. Results showed that the development of nursing research was articulated to the neoliberal and globalization economic system, the national health system, the healthcare demands of population, and nursing profession. The post-graduation expansion in Latin America was a result of the international efforts of the Brazilian post-graduation programs, and the increase number of nurse researchers as well as Center of Nursing Research. Because the scientific production is inserted on academic field, the research findings do not become healthcare policy yet. Nursing organizations and their partners need to continue making efforts to overcome old challenges and to build new meanings for nursing research.