Is Nursing a STEM Profession?
Nursing involves science, technology, and math every day—but is it officially considered a STEM career? While nursing clearly shares many traits with STEM fields, it’s still not always recognized as a “true” STEM degree by some government agencies. Let’s break it down.
What is STEM?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These fields are known for driving innovation, solving complex problems, and shaping the future. Careers like software development, engineering, data science, and healthcare often fall under the STEM umbrella.
So, where does nursing fit in?
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RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
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Why Nursing Should Be Considered a STEM Field
1. Nursing Education Is Science-Heavy
Nursing students take courses in:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Psychology
- Sociology
These subjects build a strong foundation in science and critical thinking, all core components of STEM.
2. Evidence-Based Practice
Nursing isn’t just about following procedures—it’s about making decisions based on research and data. Nurses are required to complete continuing education units (CEUs) regularly to keep their licenses, and these often involve reviewing the latest studies to improve patient care.
3. Technology Is Part of the Job
Today’s nurses rely on tech every shift:
- Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) for documenting care
- Telehealth to reach patients remotely
- Monitoring systems and digital tools for vital signs and medication delivery
Technology helps nurses reduce errors, improve communication, and deliver better care.
4. Math Is Critical in Patient Care
Even though it may not seem obvious, math plays a huge role in nursing. Nurses calculate medication dosages (especially for children), verify prescriptions, and ensure patients get the right amounts. Getting the numbers right can be a matter of life or death.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
-
MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health NP
-
MSN - Family NP
-
MSN - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
-
MSN - Health Informatics
-
MSN - Nursing Education
-
MSN - Public Health Nursing
-
MSN - Health Care Quality & Patient Safety
-
MSN - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
-
MBA & MSN - Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems
Earn a valuable nursing credential at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Expand your expertise and prepare to take on leadership and independent practice opportunities. Complete your courses online, on your schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Why Nursing Isn’t Always Counted as STEM
Despite all this, nursing is still not officially considered a STEM field by several key U.S. government agencies, including:
- Department of Homeland Security
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Department of Commerce
Here’s why:
1. Variability in Nursing Programs
Not all nursing programs are the same. While all accredited programs follow national guidelines, some, like associate degree (ADN) or diploma programs, may not include much research or tech-focused coursework, unlike more advanced or university-level programs.
2. Government Classification Lag
In 2022, the government expanded its official list of STEM fields, but nursing still wasn’t added. Meanwhile, other agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) do recognize nursing as a STEM discipline. In fact, NIH created the National Institute of Nursing Research to support scientific study in the field.
The Push to Include Nursing as a STEM Field
In 2023, the Nursing is STEM Coalition was launched to advocate for nursing’s inclusion on all federal STEM lists. Their goal? To ensure that educators, policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public treat nursing as the STEM profession it is.
Several top universities already do:
- Yale University
- Harvard University
- MIT
- University of Pennsylvania
- Vanderbilt University
- University of Michigan – Flint
- University of Texas at Austin
- Duquesne University
Why the Classification of Nursing as STEM Matters
Getting nursing officially classified as a STEM field would:
- Unlock access to scholarships and grants for nursing students, especially women and underrepresented groups pursuing STEM.
- Boost funding for nursing research through government and private-sector grants.
- Strengthen the nursing workforce by attracting more people to the field through better resources and support.
Nursing is deeply rooted in science, math, and technology, and it plays a critical role in modern healthcare. Whether or not it’s officially listed as a STEM profession depends on who you ask.
But one thing is clear: nursing uses STEM skills every single day, and more institutions and advocates are pushing for the recognition it deserves.
