Objective: To characterize the students of the doctoral nursing program and describe indicators of production and scientific activity. Methods: This is a documental, descriptive and quantitative study. The sample was composed of 217 (96.9%) graduates who defended PhD thesis at the Paulista Nursing School between 1986 and 2016. Data were collected from the University Information System of the Federal University of São Paulo; Lattes Platform and Directory of Research Groups of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development; and Sucupira Platform. Descriptive statistical analysis was carried out. Results: The graduates were mostly nurses (89.4%); female (90.8%); with mean age of 43 years and working as professors (85.7%). Most of the PhD graduates (84.3%) performed supervision and mentoring, predominantly of undergraduate students (4,566), followed by 3,087 Lato Sensu students supervision and 609 Stricto Sensu students supervision; 22.6% of them were leaders for research groups. In the period, a total of 1,869 articles were published, 57.5% of these in the upper strata of Qualis-Capes 2016, a total number of 194 books and 860 book chapters. Three patents were registered. Conclusion: Most graduates work as academics, advising undergraduates and graduates. There was an increase in funded projects and publications in well-qualified journals whereas the number of patents is restricted.