Bibliometric profile the (inter)national scientific production of Geriatric Nursing

OBJECTIVE: Describe the bibliometric profile of the national and international scientific production of Geriatric Nursing. METHOD: Bibliometric study in BDENF, IBECS, LILACS, MEDLINE, PubMed, and SciELO databases, using the descriptors: nursing, nursing care, elderly, elderly health and geriatrics. We selected 324 manuscripts, which were managed in the program JabRef Reference Manager 2.5, and the data was submitted to statistical analysis using the SPSS software. RESULTS: Publication from 2002 to 2011 is more extensive; most writers are masters or doctors; national references are more frequent; the selected articles are mostly quantitative, cross-sectional and deal with chronic diseases mainly; there is a lack of studies on subjects such as ethics, accessibility and social participation. Most of these studies were classified into evidence levels 4 and 5, and largely published in Qualis A1, A2 and B2 journals. CONCLUSION: The scientific nursing production on Geriatrics is growing, but there is a need for nurses to develop research considering the international literature, and interdisciplinary issues related to independence, social inclusion and health of the elderly.