TL/DR –
The U.S. Department of Education has revised its definition of “professional degree” programs to exclude nursing, as part of the implementation of President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”. This change impacts how graduate nursing students access federal loans and loan forgiveness programs and could exacerbate the existing nursing shortage. Nursing organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) have criticized this decision, stating that it disregards progress towards parity across health professions, threatens patient care, and limits access to advanced nursing education.
US Department of Education Excludes Nursing from “Professional Degree” Programs
The US Department of Education, under President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), has stirred controversy by excluding nursing from its recent redefinition of “professional degree” programs. This shift has concerned nursing organizations nationwide as it impacts how graduate nursing students access federal loans and loan forgiveness programs.
Impact of the New Classification
The OBBBA caps undergraduate loans, removes the GRAD PLUS program for graduate and professional students, and introduces a new Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Under this plan, only those pursuing “professional” degrees can borrow up to $50,000 annually. This list includes Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Optometry, Law, Veterinary Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Podiatry, Chiropractic, Theology, and Clinical Psychology, leaving out Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Physical Therapists.
Consequences for Nursing Students
This reclassification could make pursuing an advanced practice nursing degree costlier and more challenging. Graduate nursing students, already under high tuition costs, would lose financial benefits allocated for professional degree programs. The move could discourage potential students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It may also affect the application and graduation rates of Registered Nurses (RNs), as graduation from an RN program is a prerequisite for all graduate nursing programs.
Nursing Organizations Respond
Nursing organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) are pushing back. The AACN stated that excluding nursing from professional degree programs disregards decades of progress. The ANA has also expressed concern over the Department of Education’s decision, noting that nurses are the ‘backbone’ of the health system.
Future of Healthcare
With the US still grappling with pandemic workforce losses, the demand for nurses is on the rise. According to 2024 statistics, Over 267,000 students are enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. However, if advanced education becomes financially unreachable, it could adversely affect the future of healthcare.
What Happens Next?
The community now waits for any possible revisions to the Department of Education’s decision to include graduate nursing degrees in the “professional degree” distinction. These measures are set to be implemented from July 1, 2026. In the interim, students are advised to explore all financial aid options, especially if they plan to advance their career at the post-graduate level.
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