Is nursing a STEM major? This has been a frequently asked question by students and most official sectors in the United States. Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are subjects of study and professions with the abbreviation STEM. Depending on the group using the term, STEM might have different definitions.
In 2010, Standard Occupational Classification (SOC), in order to set certain norms created two principal domains, each with two subdomains.
The first major area covers “core” STEM professions, whereas the second domain includes occupations that rely on STEM knowledge.
Science, Engineering, Mathematics, and Information Technology Domain
1. Life and physical science, engineering, mathematics, and information technology occupations
2. Social science occupations
Science‐ and Engineering‐related Domain
3. Architecture occupations
4. Health occupations
In addition, any STEM occupation may be classified into one of five categories.:
A. Research, development, design, or practitioner occupations
B. Technologist and technician occupations
C. Postsecondary teaching occupations
D. Managerial occupations
E. Sales occupations
We have gone through several reviews on quora and other websites and finally came up with the best way to categorize nursing as STEM and when not to do so.
Our Take
What is STEM?
The standard STEM acronym is science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
What is STEM Major?
STEM majors are degrees centered around the four subjects representing the acronym; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Do Nursing Programs Include STEM Subjects?
Yes, nursing programs certainly have STEM subjects. Nursing programs like Surgery, pharmacy, or kinesiology all have STEM subjects in their coursework.
Here are some STEM subjects found in the nursing profession:
- Chemistry
- Organic chemistry
- Algebra
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy
- Physiology
Also Read: Is Integrated Oil Companies A Good Career Path? | 2023
Is Nursing a STEM Major?
Some official listings, such as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), do not include nursing or health care as STEM major. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics did include “health professions” on its list of STEM programs.
Nursing is also not included as a STEM profession by the Department of Commerce Economics and Statistics Administration. The Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, on the other hand, contains a list of “Health Professions” under a STEM category, among which “Nursing” is one.
Other institutions and organizations, however, appear to base their list on a strict definition of “fundamental science and engineering,” and while nursing certainly uses science, it is applied science rather than fundamental science.
What is Considered a STEM Major?
A STEM major often includes the following:
Science Courses and Professions:
Biology, physics, chemistry, environmental science, neuroscience, and biological science are commonly included.
| Major | Number of bachelor’s degrees awarded |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 143,232 |
| Biology | 75,016 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | 25,514 |
| Chemistry | 13,723 |
| Health Sciences | 13,147 |
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Technology Courses and Professions:
Information technology, cybersecurity, programming, and research.
| Major | Number of bachelor’s degrees awarded |
|---|---|
| Computer science | 30,140 |
| Information technology | 11,034 |
| Information science | 8,823 |
| Computer and information systems security | 4,819 |
Engineering Courses and Professions:
Engineering encompasses the design and development of infrastructure based on scientific concepts, such as electrical and mechanical engineering.
| Major | Number of bachelor’s degrees awarded |
|---|---|
| Mechanical engineering | 36,817 |
| Electrical and electronics engineering | 17,398 |
| Civil engineering | 14,518 |
| Chemical engineering | 11,107 |
| Computer engineering | 8,882 |
Mathematics Courses and Professions:
Regarding Stem subjects, there is no official definition of mathematics. It is a topic that frequently involves majors and occupations that use arithmetic and algebra.
| Major | Number of bachelor’s degrees awarded |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 18,116 |
| Econometrics and quantitative economics | 7,789 |
| Statistics | 2,938 |
| Applied mathematics | 2,632 |
Top 5 Highest-Paying STEM Jobs?
For STEM majors, here are the highest paying jobs you can find;
#1: Radiologist
Average salary: $197,260 per year (Indeed)
Radiologists use radiological imaging techniques such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and positron emission tomography (PET) scanning to diagnose and treat illness and damage.
#2: Network Architect
Average salary: $139,640 per year (ZipRecruiter)
Network architects are in charge of developing and creating a network’s infrastructure, as well as providing support and troubleshooting tasks occasionally.
#3: Network Security Engineer
Average salary: $115,349 per year (Indeed)
Network security engineers are in charge of integrating and managing a company’s computer systems and network security.
#4: Software Engineer
Average salary: $122,441 per year (Talent)
Software engineers create and construct computer software using mathematics and computer science techniques.
#5: Computer Scientist
Average salary: $104,692 per year (Indeed)
A computer scientist solves problems through the use of technological applications. These technical professionals write and program software, develop applications for mobile and smart devices and develop websites.
What are the Simplest STEM Majors?
Some of the supposedly simplest STEM disciplines include computing and information technology, engineering technologies, military technologies, and meteorology. But once more, it’s a personal choice, and STEM majors in general may be quite demanding and challenging.
What are the Hardest STEM Majors?
Biological sciences and genetics are among the hardest STEM professions in terms of overall weekly study hours and the complexity of study subjects.
However, this is not a simple question to answer since what may seem to be hard for someone else may be a piece of cake for you.
Is Nursing A STEM Major (FAQs)
Why is STEM education so important?
STEM education is so important because STEM professionals aid in the development of humanity and the growth of the nation’s infrastructure. STEM professions have contributed to numerous life-saving and game-changing discoveries.
What is the Best STEM Profession?
Given equal weight to employment growth and compensation, the professions of software development and mathematics are excellent choices. A software engineer’s typical annual salary is $122,441, and the sector is now witnessing positive development.
Bottom Line
Nursing is not considered a STEM career by many organizations. However, several universities, as well as many nurses, disagree, and there is no formal definition to back them up.
STEM jobs are expected to rise in the coming years, as will the demand for qualified applicants to fill roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
