DISTANCE EDUCATION IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES: BRAZILIAN NURSE’S SITUATION

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Distance Education (EAD) when applied to graduation and post-graduation degrees, nowadays in Brazil, have reached better credibility and trustiness levels, and became an important tool to Health Brazilian Sistem (Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS) demand that praises the Continuous Education as a pillar of action destined to the professionals on the health field. In this article, the aim is to describe an overview of EAD at Federal Superior Education Institutions (IFES) in Brazil. This study has a descriptive character. It was analyzed the authorized IFES in Brazil, which have authorization to offer EAD modality courses, and after its sites was analysed. On health area, 27 EAD courses is offered in seven differents Institutions and in Nursing, there are three courses offered by six institutions. It was verify an unequal geographical distribution of the EAD courses around the country despites the EAD principles are based mainly on democratics intentions. The Center and South regions of the country are the most attempted by EAD’s courses. Concluding, it Still not perceptive the real contributions on the formation of the human resources for SUS. The overall EAD aim has not reached the acceptable levels. However, in nursing area the EAD development represent a challenge, which leads to prepare formers intending to improve the level of the nursery professionals. All the efforts have the intention to supply the ealth sector demand. KEY WORDS: Distance Education; Higher Education; Continuing Education.