Nursing Major
Nursing is the study and practice of caring for individuals, families, and communities' health. It is a major within Health & Medicine.
Nursing is the study and practice of caring for people's health across different life stages and settings. Students learn how the human body works, how diseases and injuries affect it, and how to help people recover and stay well. The major focuses on practical skills like taking vital signs, administering medications, and wound care, alongside communication skills for listening to patients and working with doctors and other healthcare team members. Nursing students also learn to think critically about health problems, make sound decisions in urgent situations, and understand how social factors like poverty or access to resources affect people's health.
Students who pursue nursing typically have an interest in helping others and a comfort with science and hands-on work. The major usually begins with foundational courses in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology, giving students the scientific knowledge they need. As students progress, they move into specialized nursing courses that blend classroom learning with supervised clinical practice in hospitals, clinics, and community settings. This combination of theory and real-world application helps students develop both the knowledge and judgment required to work in healthcare.
Typical coursework
Course requirements vary by school, but a Nursing program commonly includes topics such as:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Pharmacology
- Adult health nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Mental health nursing
- Clinical rotations
Most programs also include general-education requirements and, in many fields, a capstone project, internship, or research experience.
Degree levels
Nursing is commonly offered at these levels:
- Associate
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Availability differs by institution, and program names can vary (for example, a Bachelor of Arts versus a Bachelor of Science track).
Common career directions
Graduates with a Nursing background pursue a range of paths. Some roles related to this field of study include:
- Registered nurse
- Public health nurse
- Nurse educator
- Clinical nurse
Many careers require additional steps beyond the major — such as a graduate degree, a license, or a certification — and many graduates work in fields unrelated to their major. What you study is one factor among many in where your career goes.
General career information is drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Career paths vary widely by person, school, and region; this is not a list of guaranteed jobs or earnings.
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Find degree programs →Frequently asked questions
What is a Nursing major?
Nursing is the study and practice of caring for individuals, families, and communities' health. It is part of health & medicine, and combines foundational coursework with more focused study as you advance.
What courses do Nursing majors take?
Coursework varies by school, but commonly includes topics such as anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, adult health nursing, pediatric nursing, and others, plus general-education requirements.
What can you do with a Nursing major?
Graduates pursue a range of paths, including roles such as registered nurse, public health nurse, nurse educator. Many roles require additional steps such as a graduate degree, license, or certification. This is general information, not a guarantee of any job or salary.
What degree levels is Nursing offered at?
It is commonly offered at the associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral level, though availability varies by institution.