Integrating National Health Surveys into Nursing Education: A Comparative Study of Students and Young Adults’ Perceptions of the Health System

Background Preparing nursing students to critically appraise healthcare systems is a key educational priority. National health opinion surveys, although widely used by policymakers, remain underexplored in nursing education as tools to foster critical thinking and systems-level awareness. Aim To examine nursing students’ perceptions of the Spanish health system compared with young adults from the general population, and to explore the pedagogical potential of national health surveys as an educational innovation with international applicability. Methods A multicenter descriptive comparative design was applied. Data were collected from third-year nursing students at two Spanish university campuses (n = 97) and from young adults aged 18–25 participating in the 2024 Spanish Health Barometer (n = 411). Both groups completed identical items on system functioning, communication, and satisfaction. Comparative analyses were conducted using chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results Students rated the overall functioning of the health system more positively (M = 7.00 vs. 6.47; p = .006) and reported higher satisfaction with emergency services (p = .01). However, they expressed lower trust in primary care physicians (p < .001) and perceived fewer opportunities to ask questions in specialized care (p = .0002). Trust in nurses was stable. Conclusions Engaging students with national health survey data promotes critical reflection, systems analysis, and professional identity formation. Despite being conducted in Spain, the approach demonstrates potential for adaptation in diverse educational contexts where national health surveys exist. Implications for Nursing Education Integrating national survey data into curricula offers an innovative, replicable strategy to enhance students’ analytical skills and health systems literacy. By comparing professional and lay perspectives, nursing students develop critical thinking and policy awareness, competencies essential for future leadership roles in healthcare.