Nursing is a field of study that trains individuals to provide medical care to patients in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. The question of whether or not nursing is a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) major is a complex one, as it depends on the specific program and the institution offering it.
Traditionally, nursing education has been classified as a non-STEM field, as it is primarily focused on the provision of healthcare and patient care rather than on scientific research or technology. However, in recent years, there has been a push to recognize nursing as a STEM field due to the increasing complexity and technical nature of healthcare.
Many nursing programs now incorporate a strong emphasis on science and technology, including courses in anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and medical technology. This allows nursing students to gain a solid understanding of the biological, chemical and physical processes that underlie human health and disease, as well as the technology used to diagnose and treat these conditions.
In addition, many nursing programs now require students to take math and statistics courses, which provide them with the quantitative skills necessary to perform data analysis and interpret research studies. This is crucial for nurses to understand the evidence-based practice, which is fundamental in the field of nursing.
Furthermore, nursing education is increasingly incorporating technology and engineering principles into the curriculum, as well as developing skills in patient care and health informatics. This includes training in the use of electronic health records, telehealth, and other digital technologies that are becoming increasingly important in healthcare.
Moreover, nursing education is also incorporating principles of engineering and systems thinking. Nurses are often responsible for designing and implementing care plans, coordinating teams of healthcare professionals, and managing the flow of patients through healthcare systems. These responsibilities require nurses to understand the principles of systems engineering and to be able to analyze and improve healthcare processes.
In conclusion, whether or not nursing is considered a STEM major is a complex issue. While traditionally, nursing education has been classified as a non-STEM field, many nursing programs now incorporate a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, which allows nursing students to gain a solid understanding of the biological, chemical, and physical processes that underlie human health and disease, as well as the technology used to diagnose and treat these conditions. Additionally, nursing education is increasingly incorporating technology and engineering principles into the curriculum, developing skills in patient care, and health informatics, and engineering systems thinking. Therefore, nursing education can be considered as a field that incorporates aspects of STEM.