The objective of the study was to know the linkages and challenges between professional training and practice and the Curriculum Guidelines for Nursing Baccalaureate Degree Programs. It was a qualitative study, with 34 graduates in nursing, who answered an e-mailed questionnaire. Data analysis was based on Michael Foucault's discourse analysis. The ethical aspects were observed. Analysis showed three themes in graduates discourses - Unified Health System, generalist professional training and humanization. The study revealed an approximation of concepts and guidelines of the Curriculum Guidelines for Nursing Baccalaureate Degree Programs and of the Unified Health System with the reality of professional practice along with challenges in the training of professional nurses.