The rapid digitalization of healthcare systems has positioned computerized medical records (CMRs) as a cornerstone for strengthening preventive healthcare and advancing health security. This narrative and conceptual review examines the role of nursing in leveraging CMRs to transform health data into proactive protection at both individual and system levels. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature, the review explores how nursing practice, preventive healthcare strategies, and digital health infrastructures intersect to enhance surveillance, early risk detection, continuity of care, and preparedness for health threats.

The analysis demonstrates that while CMRs significantly support preventive healthcare and health security, their effectiveness depends on multiple interconnected factors. These include technical infrastructure and interoperability, nursing digital competencies, organizational culture, leadership commitment, and robust data governance frameworks. Nurses play a pivotal role as primary users and producers of health data, contributing to accurate documentation, patient education, infection prevention, and early warning mechanisms that underpin health security efforts.

Ethical considerations—particularly data privacy, confidentiality, and professional accountability—emerge as critical determinants of trust and system resilience. The review emphasizes that health security should be embedded within everyday nursing practice and preventive care rather than viewed solely as an emergency response function. Overall, the findings highlight that moving “from data to protection” requires a holistic, multidisciplinary approach in which nursing leadership, digital health systems, and preventive strategies are aligned to support sustainable and secure healthcare systems.

This review is informed by authoritative and peer-reviewed sources, including reports and frameworks from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and leading journals in digital health, nursing, and public health.