Medio siglo de la formación de enfermería en Pinar del Río. 1961-2011

in 1958, pinar del rio province had only 50 female nurses, almost all them living in the capital of the province. a descriptive, cross-sectional study aimed at describing the most relevant aspects of half a century of nursing education in pinar del rio province was conducted. the sample was chosen at random from the total of instructors having experience in teaching activities, chiefs of nursing work and students that expressed their experiences, and from the documents existing in the provincial centers of historical documentaries, together with the information in general secretary's office of the medical school; using theoretical and empirical methods to carry out this research. from 1961 to 1981 ancillary nurses were trained, having training courses of 2 and 3 academic years and the opening of "marina azcuy" nursing school as well as "simon bolivar" health polytechnic institute. the studies of baccalaureate in nursing was opened in 1982 having the characteristics of weekly courses, making possible the starting of daytime courses for 5 academic years and the instruction of nursing students supported by the new pedagogical model in 2004. another important development nursing personnel have reached in the province is the formation of specialists and master's degree in nursing, pedagogy and other master's degrees of comprehensive access. stating as a conclusion that during 50 years our nursing professionals have been trained and they are able to take care of the healthy and sick population in cuba and in other parts all over the world.