Know the Brazilian nursing journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science

What is an indexed journal?

A scientific journal is considered indexed when it is included in a recognized bibliographic index or database, which attests to the quality and relevance criteria for the periodical and/or its publications.

Why should a scientific journal be indexed?

When looking for a scientific article, the first place we usually search is a database, like PubMed, or a digital collection library, like the Virtual Health Library (VHL). Therefore, by being indexed, the articles from that scientific journal will appear in these locations, allowing us, researchers, to access these materials. This increases the journal's readership and helps to enhance its value.

Are all indexers the same?

No. Each indexer has specific functions and characteristics. Some are designed to present information about the scientific journal itself (focus, scope, periodicity, etc.), while others are intended to disseminate published articles.

When it comes to the article, there are also databases that only index basic information, such as title, authorship, and abstract, while others allow the full deposit of the scientific article, including the PDF for reading.

How does a journal become indexed?

Normally, the scientific journal needs to send a formal application to the indexer it wishes to join. Each database has a specific form to be filled out and different criteria to be evaluated.

"The indexing process is similar to manuscript submission and peer review: scientific journals submit their documents and await their application to be reviewed by the database" (Zanotto, 2023). If the journal meets all established criteria, it will be indexed. However, if it does not, it may be necessary to wait an average of six months to two years to attempt indexing again.

Understand: Some indexers are simple to join, requiring only that the scientific journal fill out a provided form, as can be seen in Google Scholar; others evaluate adherence to open science and good editorial practices, as occurs with the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ); there are also very rigorous databases that evaluate, in addition to the previous criteria: timeliness, scope, impact, representativeness, scientific rigor, and the quality of the material published by the scientific journal, as in the case of Medline, SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science.

From the moment a journal is indexed, its articles/information become part of that indexer's database, becoming accessible through it, without the reader needing to visit each original website individually. This process streamlines and expands the dissemination of knowledge.

Why should I publish in an indexed journal?

The answer to this question can be posed with another question: "Are you looking to expand the reach of your research, make it a reference in the field, or increase your impact as a researcher, whether nationally or internationally?" If the answer to any of these questions is affirmative, then you should publish in an indexed journal.

As we know, indexed journals make it easier for readers to discover articles, which increases the likelihood of these materials being cited by other researchers in similar studies. Researchers who receive many citations are often recognized as authorities in their fields, being used as references in research projects, which can increase their scientific impact and academic reputation.

Which indexers are most important?

As mentioned earlier, each indexer has a function; therefore, its degree of importance also varies.

For searches in the health field, the most important indexers are Medline, SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science, as these databases follow rigorous indexing criteria.

For nursing, in addition to those mentioned above, it is important for the researcher to look for specific databases for this area of knowledge, such as the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (Cinahl).

Is Qualis (from Capes) an indexer?

Qualis is not an indexer, but rather a "system used to classify the scientific production of postgraduate programs with regard to articles published in scientific journals" (Brasil, c2022). This evaluation is carried out by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes).

Capes classifies scientific journals with grades ranging from A1 (highest) to C (zero weight). These grades are based on the metrics achieved by the journals from the indexing databases they are part of. The main metrics evaluated to generate the grades were the Impact Factor (from Clarivate), the CiteScore (from Scopus), and the H-Index (from Google Scholar). Therefore, the journal needs to be indexed in at least one of these databases to be classified.

Want to know more about how Qualis, CiteScore, and Impact Factor work? Click here

Given all the knowledge explained, and understanding the importance of seeking indexed journals, how about we get to know the Brazilian nursing journals that are in Scopus and Web of Science?

1. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem (e-ISSN: 1518-8345)

• This is the largest nursing journal in Brazil (by metrics). The RLAE was created in 1993 and is the official scientific dissemination body of the Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing at the University of São Paulo and the PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development. Its mission is to publish results of scientific research in nursing and other areas of interest to health professionals.
• It is indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.
• Qualis (2017-2020): A2
• Impact Factor (JIF 2024): 1.3
• CiteScore (2024): 2.5
• Site: http://rlae.eerp.usp.br/

2. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem (e-ISSN: 1984-0446)

• REBEn is the oldest nursing journal in Brazil, having been created in 1932. It is the official publication body of the Brazilian Nursing Association (ABEn). Its mission is to disseminate the scientific production from different areas of knowledge that are of interest to Nursing, including that which expresses the Association's political project.
• It is indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.
• Qualis (2017-2020): A4
• Impact Factor (JIF 2024): 1.2
• CiteScore (2024): 2.1
• Site: https://reben.com.br/revista/

3. Revista da Escola de Enfermagem da USP (e-ISSN: 1980-220X)

• Official journal of the School of Nursing at the University of São Paulo. REEUSP's mission is to foster the production and dissemination of knowledge in Nursing and related areas, focusing on international dialogue for the advancement of Nursing science.
• It is indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.
• Qualis (2017-2020): A2
• Impact Factor (JIF 2024): 1.3
• CiteScore (2024): 2.2
• Site: https://www.revistas.usp.br/reeusp/index 

4. Acta Paulista de Enfermagem (e-ISSN: 1982-0194)

• Official journal of the Paulista School of Nursing at UNIFESP. Acta Paulista de Enfermagem was created in 1988 and its mission is to disseminate scientific knowledge generated with research methodology rigor and ethics.
• It is indexed in Scopus and Web of Science.
• Qualis (2017-2020): A4
• Impact Factor (JIF 2024): 1.0
• CiteScore (2024): 1.6
• Site: https://acta-ape.org

5. Rev Rene (e-ISSN: 2175-6783)

• Rev Rene was created by the Northeast Nursing Network and had its first volume published in the year 2000. It is a journal edited by the Federal University of Ceará. Its mission is to promote the development and exchange of knowledge directly relevant to all spheres of Nursing practice and other health professionals, as well as being committed to providing a journal of excellence for the area of Nursing and Health Sciences, based on scientific knowledge, experience, and innovation.
• It is indexed in Web of Science.
• Qualis (2017-2020): B1
• Impact Factor (JIF 2024): 0.3
• Site: http://periodicos.ufc.br/rene/index

6. Revista de Pesquisa Cuidado é Fundamental Online (e-ISSN: 2175-5361)

• RPCFO is a scientific journal edited by the Postgraduate Programs in Nursing of the Alfredo Pinto School of Nursing at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Its mission is to publish original and unpublished works by Brazilian and other countries' authors, which contribute to the knowledge and development of nursing, health, and related sciences.
• It is indexed in Web of Science.
• Qualis (2017-2020): B2
• Impact Factor (JIF 2024): 0.1
• Site: https://seer.unirio.br/cuidadofundamental/index

7. Texto e Contexto Enfermagem (e-ISSN: 1980-265X)

• Texto & Contexto Enfermagem is the journal of the Postgraduate Program in Nursing at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. It was created in 1992 and its mission is to disseminate the production of scientific and technological knowledge in health and nursing, valuing research quality and the improvement of Health Sciences.
• It is indexed in Scopus.
• Qualis (2017-2020): A3
• Does not have an impact factor.
• CiteScore (2024): 1.5
• Site: https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/textoecontexto/index 

8. Cogitare Enfermagem (e-ISSN: 2176-9133)

• This is a publication of the Department of Nursing at the Federal University of Paraná. Cogitare Enfermagem was created in 1996 and its mission is to publish and disseminate knowledge produced in the health and nursing areas with excellence and respect for ethical principles.
• It is indexed in Scopus.
• Qualis (2017-2020): B1
• Does not have an impact factor.
• CiteScore (2024): 0.6
• Site: https://revistas.ufpr.br/cogitare 

9. Revista Baiana de Enfermagem (e-ISSN: 2178-8650)

• This is an electronic scientific dissemination body linked to the Postgraduate Program in Nursing and Health. The Revista Baiana de Enfermagem (RBE) was created in 1981 by the School of Nursing at the Federal University of Bahia and its mission is to promote the dissemination of scientific knowledge in the field of nursing, education, and other areas that intersect with health and human development issues, resulting from assistance, management, teaching, research, and extension developed nationally and internationally.
• It is indexed in Scopus.
• Qualis (2017-2020): B2
• Does not have an impact factor.
• CiteScore (2024): 0.6
• Site: https://periodicos.ufba.br/index.php/enfermagem/index 

10. Revista Enfermagem UERJ (ISSN: 0104-3552)

• Revista Enfermagem Uerj is a publication of the Faculty of Nursing at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, created in 1993. Its mission is to publish original and unpublished works in the fields of Nursing, Health and related areas, especially related to the areas of Medical-Surgical, Obstetric, Pediatric, Mental Health and Psychiatry, Public Health and Emerging, Re-emerging and Neglected Diseases, such as research results, theoretical studies, critical literature reviews and discussion of current and relevant topics for human health. Furthermore, it seeks to serve as a training space for scientists in training, aiming at their future performance as authors, editors and reviewers in national and international publications, contributing to the strengthening of Brazilian and international science.
• It is indexed in Scopus.
• Qualis (2017-2020): A4
• Does not have an impact factor.
• CiteScore (2024): 0.6
• Site: https://www.e-publicacoes.uerj.br/enfermagemuerj 

11. Revista Gaúcha de Enfermagem (e-ISSN: 1983-1447)

• Edited by the School of Nursing at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, the Revista Gaúcha de Enfermagem (RGE) was created in 1976 and its mission is to contribute to the dissemination of knowledge in the health area, publishing scientific production of interest to national and international Nursing.
• It is indexed in Scopus.
• Qualis (2017-2020): A3
• Does not have an impact factor.
• CiteScore (2024): 1.8
• Site: https://seer.ufrgs.br/rgenf 

12. Online Brazilian Journal of Nursing (ISSN: 1676-4285)

• Publication linked to the Aurora de Afonso Costa School of Nursing at the Fluminense Federal University. OBJN was created in 2002 and its mission is to record, retrieve and disseminate important information in the form of scientific evidence, defending editorial freedom and the global integration of knowledge among nursing and health researchers and professionals.
• It is indexed in Scopus.
• Qualis (2017-2020): B1
• Does not have an impact factor.
• CiteScore (2024): 0.3
• Site: https://objn.uff.br 

Want to know more nursing journals and also avoid those classified as predatory? Access the list we have prepared for you! Click here

*Original post published on March 21, 2024 and updated on July 21, 2025.

**Data on scientific journals collected from the Scival website of Scopus and the Master Journal List of Web of Science on July 21, 2025. Please note that periodicals may be removed from these indexing databases over time for failing to comply with established criteria, and new journals may be integrated.

REFERENCES

ASSOCIAÇÃO BRASILEIRA DE EDITORES CIENTÍFICOS (ABEC). Indexadores para periódicos científicos. São Paulo: Abec Brasil, 2022.

BARRAVIERA, B.; FERREIRA JUNIOR, R. S. Webinar – Revistas Indexadas: “desafios a vencer”. Youtube: ACFB Academia de Ciências Farmacêuticas do Brasil, 28 jul. 2021. 1 vídeo (1 h 38 min 42 s). Available from: https://youtu.be/AZMV3hWiqtg. Accessed: 20 mar. 2024.

BRASIL. Plataforma Sucupira. Nota Qualis Periódicos. Brasília: Capes, c2022. Available from: https://sucupira.capes.gov.br/sucupira/. Accessed: 24 jan. 2024.

DONATO, H. Revista Indexada: o que significa e exige? Acta Urológica Portuguesa, Lisboa, v. 34, n. 3-4, p. 5-6, 2017. DOI: 10.24915/aup.34.3-4.75. Available from: https://www.actaurologica portuguesa.com/index.php/aup/article/view/75. Accessed: 20 mar. 2024.

ZANOTTO, F. P. Revistas indexadas. Escrever Ciência, São Paulo, 3 jan. 2023. Available from: https://www.escreverciencia.com/post/revistas-indexadas. Accessed: 20 mar. 2024.