Abstract
Objective: To demonstrate the perception of nursing undergraduates about their participation in scientific research during undergraduate studies. Methods: A multicenter, descriptive, exploratory study with a quantitative and qualitative approach, conducted with nursing students from two private higher education institutions in Belém, State of Pará, Brazil. The study took place between February and March 2019, and a questionnaire was applied to 102 students of the nursing course. This study was approved by the research ethics committees. Results: The average age was 31.09 ± (6.23), predominantly female 86.3%, enrolled in the morning shift 53.9%, who experience a gap between stimulus and scientific production in the context of academic education. The participants highlighted difficulties in the elaboration of the Course Conclusion Paper (TCC), dissatisfaction with the scientific methodology discipline and little interest in research after graduation. Conclusion: It was evidenced difficulties in the elaboration of the course conclusion work, dissatisfaction with the scientific methodology discipline and little interest in research after training. The negative experience lived defocused scientific research as the main option for future professional choice.