Quality of the educational environmentin Slovakia and the Czech Republic using the DREEM inventory

Aim. The study aimed to assess and compare nursing students’ perceptions of their educational environment at universities in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, exploring differences based on gender and location, and identifying areas for improvement. Material and methods. A quantitative study with 742 nursing students was conducted using the DREEM inventory. Data were collected in 2021 and analyzed with SPSS, using descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U test to assess group differences. Results. Nursing students had a generally positive perception of their educational environment, with no significant differences based on gender or location. While DREEM scores indicated supportive practices, lower scores in the educational atmosphere highlighted potential areas for improvement. Conclusions. Regular assessment using tools like DREEM is vital to maintain high-quality nursing education. Although the results were positive, the need for improvements in emotional and social support for students remains clear.