Objective To explore the practical effects of integrating smart technology into curriculum-based ideological and political education (CIPE) within the Preventive Medicine course for nursing majors. Methods Using the convenience sampling method, full-time undergraduate nursing students from one university were selected as the research subjects. Seventy-nine students from the cohort of 2022 were assigned to the control group, receiving traditional blended (online and offline) teaching, where teachers independently identified and integrated ideological and political elements for the Preventive Medicine course. One hundred and fourteen students from the cohort of 2023 were assigned to the experimental group, where a teaching team collaboratively developed a smart technology-enhanced CIPE program for the course, utilizing smart technologies to empower the teaching process. Results The experimental group achieved significantly higher total course scores and CIPE learning outcomes compared to the control group (all P<0.05). Additionally, the experimental group reported a positive evaluation of their course experience. Conclusion The design of smart technology-assisted CIPE can enhance students′ learning experiences, improve academic performance, and strengthen the effectiveness of ideological and political education within the curriculum.