Ep 61: Recognizing Nursing as STEM with Rebecca Love

Nurses use pharmacology, operate complex medical technology, and apply statistical modeling daily - yet they're locked out of $1.2 billion in federal STEM funding. Rebecca Love is fighting to change that. WHAT'S AT STAKE: A national coalition of 100+ nursing organizations just petitioned the Department of Homeland Security to recognize nursing as a STEM profession. This change could unlock: WHY THIS MATTERS BEYOND NURSING: If you're building health tech, investing in healthcare, or care about AI in medicine, this affects you. Nurses are the frontline innovators using your technology, but they're systematically excluded from the funding and recognition that drives STEM careers forward. THE GENDER BIAS NOBODY'S TALKING ABOUT: Rebecca doesn't sugarcoat it: nursing is 90% female, and she believes that's exactly why it's been overlooked. While male-dominated fields get priority STEM status, nurses who use pharmacology, operate advanced medical devices, and conduct statistical research are told they're not "technical enough." INSIDE THIS CONVERSATION: 🔬 The DHS Petition Explained 💰 The $1.2 Billion Lockout 🤖 AI & Health Tech's Nursing Problem 📊 Business Skills Nurses Need NOW 🏥 Healthcare System Transformation ⚖️ The Gender Equity Angle GUEST BIO: Rebecca Love, RN,MSN,FIEL, is co-chair of the Nursing is STEM Coalition (with Marion Leary from UPenn), First Nurse Featured on Ted.com, on Forbes Business Council, President Emeritus of SONSIEL, Chief Clinical Officer at Quadrivia AI, visiting professor at Florida State University, and founder of the Commission for Nurse Reimbursement. She's a former bedside nurse turned healthcare entrepreneur on a mission to get nurses the recognition, funding, and business skills they deserve. TAKE ACTION: 🔔 Subscribe for more healthcare innovation insights 👍 Like if you think nursing deserves STEM recognition 💬 Comment: Should nursing be classified as STEM? Why or why not? 📲 Share with anyone in healthcare, health tech, or policy   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Join the coalition: Nursing is STEM RELATED VIDEOS YOU'LL LOVE: https://youtu.be/v83JzzsAWaA?si=5Bej_eIuRes09J-4 Connect with and follow Rebecca Love on LinkedIn. Connect with Rosa Hart on LinkedIN Get or Gift a copy of “Speak Up, Start Now” the Nurse’s Week Gift of the Year for 2026 Follow @NurseRosaSpeaks