Abstract
OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the effect of using storytelling as a teaching strategy on nursing students' learning about the Brazilian Unified Health System. METHODS: a randomized controlled trial with 48 nursing students, divided into intervention (storytelling class) and control (traditional class) groups, conducted remotely. Learning was assessed through pre-test, immediate post-test, and post-test 15 days later. Statistical analyses included t-tests, Chi-square, McNemar's, and Cochran's Q tests. RESULTS: both groups showed significant learning improvement in the immediate post-test (p<0.001). In the 15-day post-test, the Intervention Group demonstrated higher retention of knowledge, with scores ≥70% significantly higher than the Control Group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: storytelling had a positive and lasting impact on learning about the Unified Health System, promoting an engaging and participatory teaching environment. This strategy aligns with the shift in nursing education towards more dynamic methodologies.