The objective of this study is to describe the historical context of nursing professionalization in Brazil. In the middle of all this process, nursing has been developing in Brazil since the beginning, facing several challenges, in an attempt to consolidate itself as a profession. It is an exploratory and descriptive study, that uses as instruments of theoretical foundation the bibliographical and documental research. The study makes a rescue on how nursing has been consolidating with the passing of centuries, registering the appearance of nursing in the country, pointing still as the professionalization of nursing happened in Brazil, as well as the main legislation referring to this context. When reflecting on the history of nursing and its development, it becomes possible to recognize the profession and the challenges faced, allowing problematize the past of nursing.