AACN Applauds President’s Recognition of Nurses and Pledges to Protect Funding for NINR and Nursing Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 6, 2025 – The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) applauds President Trump for his National Nurses Day message and recognition of the immeasurable contribution nurses make to the health and well-being of all Americans. The support for education, specifically the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, outlined in this statement underscores the President’s interest in strengthening nursing education pathways to create “a healthier, stronger Nation.”

Given the President’s commitment to improving the health of all Americans, and as we celebrate National Nurses Week, AACN urges the Administration to reconsider the proposed cuts to nursing programs as outlined in the Administration’s FY 2026 skinny budget. We strongly encourage the President to provide vital support for nursing by retaining the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), supporting nurse scientists and researchers throughout NIH, and fully funding all Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs.

Protecting and investing in these vital nursing programs is critical to achieving the President’s vision of addressing, “the root causes of chronic disease, reduce its prevalence, and ensure that nurses have the support they need in order to continue providing life-saving care.” In fact, Title VIII and NINR help support faculty as they educate the future nursing workforce, increase the number of meaningful clinical experiences in medically underserved and rural communities, strengthen nursing workforce capacity, support innovation within the profession, and advance evidence-based interventions. By supporting these programs, the Administration not only champions our current nursing workforce, but can continue to inspire a new generation of nurses to serve on the frontlines of our health care system.

To fulfill this promise of a healthy America, AACN implores the President to protect and retain NINR and support investments in Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, as they are critical components of our nation’s healthcare infrastructure. AACN pledges to continue working with President Trump and Congress to build a strong nursing workforce that helps achieve the President’s goal of Making America Healthy Again.

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The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for academic nursing representing more than 875 schools of nursing nationwide. AACN establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research and practice.

CONTACT:

Robert Rosseter
(202) 463-6930 ext. 231
rrosseter@aacnnursing.org