Back to News AACN Advocacy and HRSA National Nursing Survey Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | Policy & Advocacy AACN Advocacy in Action: Supporting Nursing Education, Workforce, and Research Act Now! Congressional nursing champions have introduced the bipartisan Nursing is a Professional Degree Act (S.4568/H.R.8691) in response to the Department of Education’s recent rule reducing federal loan amounts for post-baccalaureate nursing students. Click here to urge your Representative and Senators to cosponsor and pass this critical bill. On May 26, AACN responded to the National Institutes of Health’s request for information for its Strategic Plan (FY 2027-2031), advocating for expanded investment in nurse-led research and for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). Based on AACN member feedback, these comments emphasized the role of nursing science in improving patient outcomes, supporting preventative interventions, and leveraging emerging technologies. On May 21, AACN submitted written testimony to the Senate LHHS-ED Appropriations Subcommittee requesting at least $610 million for Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs and $215 million for NINR for FY 2027. AACN also signed onto similar testimony from the Nursing Community Coalition. On May 20, AACN signed onto comments from the American Council on Education in response to the Department of Education’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled, "Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell: Student Tuition and Transparency System and Earnings Accountability." Your Participation Matters: Complete HRSA’s National Nursing Survey Today Since 1977, the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses has helped inform nursing workforce planning and policy decisions. Survey invitations were mailed to selected nurses. Please complete it before the survey closes this summer. Click here to learn more. Mark your Calendar: HRSA will be hosting a virtual job fair on Wednesday, June 10 from 6:00-9:00 pm (ET). Click here to register. View all updates from Policy Watch