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Objectives: to map the nursing theories developed in stricto sensu graduate programs in nursing in Brazil., Methods: a bibliometric study, carried out on the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel Theses and Dissertations Portal in October 2023. The controlled descriptors "Nursing Theory" and "Nursing Models" and the uncontrolled descriptors "Theories" and "Middle-Range Theory" were used. Selected studies were cataloged for analysis, which was conducted by the study authors, who have a doctoral degree and expertise in research on nursing theories., Results: thirty-nine nursing theories were mapped, with a predominance of middle-range theories (79.5%), focusing on nursing diagnostic concepts and use of the theoretical-methodology strategy of theoretical-causal validity., Conclusions: the study identified nursing theories developed in Brazil, recognizing trends, development strategies, theorized objects of disciplinary interest and investments necessary for practical application in Brazilian contexts.