Rounds with Leadership: Strength in Numbers: Support Nursing as a Professional Degree

When the U.S. Department of Education (ED) decided last November to advance a proposed definition that did not include nursing as a professional degree—a move that would significantly limit federal student loan access for post-baccalaureate nursing students—the public response condemning this action was unequivocal and far-reaching.

Individuals and organizations representing nursing, the health professions, and higher education denounced this proposed rule, and the national news media was flooded with stories detailing how this decision would negatively impact the nursing workforce, nursing school enrollments, and access to care. (Click here to send your comments to the ED.)

AACN has been at the forefront of this national dialogue and has helped to illustrate how identifying nursing as a professional degree is critical to workforce stability and sustaining the nation’s health. Through our efforts focused on advocacy, coalition-building, communication, and data collection, we have illustrated how decreasing federal student loan limits would create a barrier for many nurses seeking to advance their education to the master’s and doctoral levels, a critical step when preparing for careers as advanced practice nurses, faculty, researchers, leaders, and administrators.

Since the release of the ED recommendation and subsequent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, AACN has moved quickly to raise public awareness and mobilize the response to this action, including outreach to members and stakeholders on ways to advocate for change. Staff have been working independently and in coalitions to build support for nursing as a professional degree; launched a content hub on the AACN website to promote the latest news and developments; and have encouraged nurses to submit public comments.

As a key component of our response, AACN initiated a national survey last fall, which found that a strong majority of schools and graduate students see the ED’s move as a threat to pathways into advanced nursing education and the nation’s supply of nurse faculty. The survey found that 82% of students believe that the proposed annual federal loan cap would negatively impact their ability to finance their education, and 78% of deans believe the cap will diminish enrollment in graduate programs. Further, 71% of deans anticipate that the new loan caps would have negative downstream consequences on baccalaureate program enrollment, which would further hamper efforts to address the nation’s persistent shortage of registered nurses.

With the deadline quickly approaching next week to submit comments in response to this proposed rule, the time to lend your voice in calling for change is now.

Let AACN Help You Take Action by March 2

The Department of Education is currently seeking public comments on student loan policy through Monday, March 2. AACN urges all nurses, students, and the public to submit comments advocating for the inclusion of post-baccalaureate nursing programs (MSN, DNP, PhD) on the list of professional degrees to guarantee access to higher student loan limits.

To facilitate your response, we encourage you to use the online form aligned with your role:

• Nursing Faculty and Deans
• Nursing Students
• Advocates for Nursing

Submitting a form only takes a few minutes and individualized comments are critical to ensure nursing is fully represented in this rulemaking process. We also encourage you to share AACN’s Take Action resources on any social media channel using #AACNadvocate and #NursingIsAProfessionalDegree to help amplify awareness and engagement.

Your voice matters in shaping policies that affect nursing education and the future healthcare workforce. Don’t miss this opportunity to stand with your colleagues and legions of nurse supporters to advocate for protecting pathways into nursing, ensuring access to healthcare and ultimately sustaining the public’s health.