The aim of this study was to know and comprehend the strategies of the Serviço Especial de Saúde Pública (SESP) to expand associate and higher nursing education in Brazil, between 1942 to 1960. We use as historical sources Revista do SESP and Boletim do SESP published since 1944. The performance of SESP close to processes of human resources formation in nursing was it characterized by the use of several strategies as the concession of fellowships or financial and technical support for the implantation of nursing schools in Brazil. Like this, the actions of SESP converged for the ascension of a new way of nursing, not just in the rural zone, as well as, the hospital nursing.61909-15