Nanotechnology is increasingly embedded within contemporary healthcare, influencing diagnostics, therapeutics, and medical devices across a wide range of clinical settings. Because nano-enabled interventions operate at the molecular and cellular levels, they may produce subtle, delayed, or non-intuitive biological effects, necessitating advanced clinical awareness and interpretive expertise among nurses (Della Pepa et al., 2021; Iqbal et al., 2022). As nanotechnology continues to transition from experimental research into routine clinical practice, nursing education must adapt to ensure that patient care remains safe, ethical, and evidence based (Huertas et al., 2024; World Health Organization [WHO], 2023). Foundational nano-literacy equips nurses with the knowledge required to understand mechanisms of action, differentiate nano-enabled therapies from conventional treatments, and anticipate patient responses and associated risks (Ventola, 2017; Della Pepa et al., 2021). This theoretical understanding complements procedural competence by strengthening clinical judgment, ethical reasoning, and evidence-informed decision-making in practice (Huertas et al., 2024). At the same time, nano-enabled interventions introduce new clinical uncertainties, including potential toxicities, long-term physiological effects, and concerns related to health equity, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and critical appraisal (Della Pepa et al., 2021; Iqbal et al., 2022; WHO, 2023). Nurses also play a central role in patient education and advocacy, translating complex scientific concepts into clear, patient-centered information that supports informed consent and fosters therapeutic trust (Ventola, 2017; Huertas et al., 2024). Integrating nanotechnology content throughout nursing curricula is therefore essential. As healthcare interventions become increasingly precise and technologically sophisticated, the responsibilities of nurses—including knowledge application, clinical interpretation, and ethical oversight—become more consequential (Huertas et al., 2024; WHO, 2023). Comprehensive education in nanotechnology enables nurses to maintain professional authority, safeguard patient outcomes, and ensure that technological innovation remains aligned with the core human values that underpin nursing practice (Ventola, 2017; WHO, 2023). FOUNDATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY: Educational Imperatives for Nursing
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