Is Nursing a STEM Major

Nursing often finds itself in the gray area when it comes to categorization. It is often lumped into the healthcare category, but is it really just that, or is nursing a STEM major? Some people argue that its scientific basis and use of technology earn it a place in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), while others think that this profession is more rooted in caregiving than hard sciences.

This article aims to take a closer look at the arguments on both sides of the debate to determine if nursing actually fits into STEM education. And if the academic side of your nursing profession ever starts to feel overwhelming, EssayPro can also be a professional lifesaver. All you have to do is ask us, 'write my essay in 2 hours,' and the experts in your field will help you stay on top of all your deadlines.

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What Is a STEM Major?

As the name tells us, STEM majors are all rooted in science, technology, engineering, and math - the very driving forces of innovation. This term came about in the early 2000s when the government realized it needed to double down on these disciplines to stay competitive on the global stage. Here's what fields the STEM profession includes:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Mathematics

There's been a recent push to expand STEM by adding the 'A' for Arts. This inclusion acknowledges the role of creativity in innovation. After all, there's someone behind designing those sleek new user interfaces or gadgets we love so much. As healthcare also adopts more advanced technologies, the nursing profession also finds itself more woven with these disciplines.

The Biden-Harris STEM initiative is pushing the education sector even further by making STEM fields more accessible to underserved communities. The world is becoming ever so tech-dependent, so STEM education is becoming all the more important for equipping future generations with the skills they need to take on tomorrow's challenges.

Read also: Flexible jobs to have while in nursing school.

Why Can Nursing Be Considered a STEM Major

When you think of nursing, you might picture a compassionate professional with a stethoscope that provides non-stop, hands-on care. But you're mistaken if you think that the nursing profession stops at just that. It's argued that nursing be included in STEM education because it takes a little from science, technology, and even engineering and brings everything together to help those in need.

Professional nurses spend hours learning how to work with advanced medical equipment and apply scientific principles to real patient care so the engineering side is clearly in place. Plus, biology, chemistry, and anatomy all play a huge role in nursing degrees. So, is nursing considered STEM? These arguments prove that it should be.

But it's not all about the science. There is also the art of nursing. Even the most advanced medical degree won't make for a great nurse without empathy, which helps you make sure patients feel heard and cared for. That's exactly where the 'art' comes in. However, when nursing students are required to write custom nursing papers, it still becomes clear that they need to have a solid grasp of all STEM subjects.

Why Is Nursing Not a STEM Major?

There's no denying that nursing education is one of the most science-packed fields out there. So, why is there still a debate about whether it should be considered a STEM major? Many professionals are opposed to including the nursing profession in STEM, and their arguments deserve to be heard, too. Most of their reasoning comes down to how STEM is defined and what nursing actually involves.

One of the biggest arguments is that nursing is more practice-based than research-driven. Nurses apply scientific knowledge, sure, but are they the ones actually conducting experiments and developing new technologies? Usually not. They focus more on patient care. But, the hands-on experience they gain through nursing internships proves just how much real-world application of science this profession needs.

Then, there's the inconsistency in classification. The lack of agreement between universities and organizations makes the whole thing messy. STEM programs and funding often follow strict definitions, and nurses often end up not having the same access to certain benefits because their profession doesn't always check the right boxes.

Systemic Barriers to STEM Recognition

The exclusion of nursing from STEM education isn't just a matter of semantics; it has real consequences. We've already covered how nursing students don't always have access to the same grants and scholarships that support science and tech careers without official STEM status, but there's even more to talk about.

Public perception doesn't exactly help the nursing workforce, either. Nursing is still widely viewed as a caregiving profession, and its image as a "soft science" prevents it from getting the same recognition as other STEM professions.

Then, there's the gender factor. Nursing, after all, is a female-dominated field, and like it or not, that might have some role in why it hasn't been fully acknowledged as part of STEM. Historically, male-dominated fields tend to get more funding and inclusion in major initiatives.

All of this leaves nursing in limbo. Sure, it has science and technology, but it's also very deeply rooted in patient care. So, until there's a universal agreement, nurses will keep hovering on the edge, part science, part health care, and still waiting for an official invite to the club.

How Nursing Can Get the STEM Stamp

A few things need to seriously shift if nursing is ever going to ditch the gray area and get the official STEM badge:

1. Universal Classification – Right now, whether the nursing profession is considered STEM or not is more like a coin toss, depending on where you look. Some organizations say yes, others say no, and the government is still somewhere in between. A little consistency could work wonders.
2. Highlighting the Science Side – Nursing education needs to put more emphasis on human biology, chemistry, and tech. Once the science side has a larger part in a nursing school resume, it will be harder to argue that it's not a STEM career.
3. Better Public Perception – A lot of people still picture nurses as caregivers first and scientists second. It's time to flip the script and help the public understand that it involves advanced medical equipment and life-saving decision-making.
4. Policy Changes – STEM fields get all kinds of grants, scholarships, and financial incentives. Nursing students? Not so much. STEM education funding must be more accessible for nursing.
5. Bridging the Gender Gap – STEM has been working hard to bring in more women. Meanwhile, nursing is still overwhelmingly female. Would it suddenly be seen as more STEM-worthy if more men joined the profession? Hard to say, but history suggests it wouldn’t hurt.

The Verdict

So, is the nursing profession a part of STEM education? That’s the million-dollar question. Nursing has all the science, tech, and problem-solving you’d expect from STEM, yet it still doesn’t get the official stamp. There are so many things to consider in this debate: classification, outdated perceptions, policies... you name it! Until things actually change, nursing will stay in this weird in-between place - undeniably science-driven but still not fully recognized.

One thing's for certain: nursing students have to tackle a workload that's just as overwhelming as that of any other STEM field. There's absolutely no shame if you need to get help with nursing assignment when the tasks for your degree get too overwhelming. EssayPro's expert writers can help you stay on track so you can get your degree and start caring for people!

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