AACN Policy & Advocacy 2026 Mid-Year Review

On January 30, the Department of Education released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement the post-baccalaureate student loan limits enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21). Despite strong engagement from AACN members and the broader nursing community, the Department released its final rule on May 1 that excluded post-baccalaureate nursing programs from the definition of “professional degree.” As a result, many nursing students may face increased financial burdens that could discourage enrollment in post-baccalaureate nursing programs and further strain the nation’s healthcare workforce.

AACN Actions

• Facilitated the engagement of AACN members who submitted more than 3,000 comments to the Department of Education.
• Submitted our own comment letter and signed onto a series of letters advocating for the addition of post-baccalaureate nursing in the list of professional degrees.
• Led a broad coalition effort to submit a separate comment letter that was signed by 277 national and state organizations.
• Joined national healthcare and higher education groups in legal action to recognize nursing as a professional degree.
• Coordinated with Congress and was proud to see 160 bipartisan members of Congress submit their own comment letter to the Department of Education.
• Published statements on the release of the ED's final rule and in response to a National Nurse Day message calling on the President to match his support for nurses with action.
• Built additional congressional support through legislative avenues including:
  • Nursing is a Professional Degree Act (S.4568/H.R.8691), which would classify post-baccalaureate nursing programs (MSN, DNP, DNAP, and PhD) as “professional degrees” under the Higher Education Act.
  • Congressional Review Act Joint Resolution (H.J.Res.189/S.J.Res.196), which invalidates the Department of Education’s final rule on federal student loan limits.
  • Inclusion of language in the House Appropriation Committee’s bipartisan manager’s amendment preventing the administration of federal student aid programs in a manner that excludes post-baccalaureate programs preparing students to be advanced practice registered nurses from the professional degree designation.

AACN has continued to engage closely with the 119th Congress to advocate for academic nursing and promote legislation that supports our schools, faculty, and students.

AACN Actions

• Worked with leaders from the Congressional House and Senate Nursing Caucus, including Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH-14), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), and Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), to monitor legislative and policy changes that could impact academic nursing.
• Signed onto letters thanking Members of Congress for their support of various legislation that promotes academic nursing.
• Created ongoing opportunities for AACN members to engage with their Congressional representatives, both in-person and virtually.
• Met with Congressional offices to support legislation impacting nursing education, while also leading group meetings with Student Policy Summit participants in March and nursing organizations during the Nursing Community Coalition Hill Day in May.
• Joined coalition partners to advocate for shared higher education and healthcare priorities.

Despite ongoing pressure to reduce federal spending, AACN successfully advocated for sustained funding of key nursing education and research programs in FY 2026. This outcome reflects the collective efforts of AACN members, nursing advocates, and coalition partners who responded to action alerts, engaged with lawmakers, and reinforced the importance of federal investment in nursing education, workforce development, and research. Because of these coordinated advocacy efforts, proposed cuts were successfully averted, and critical programs remained.

The President’s FY 2027 budget again proposed eliminating all Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs, except the Nurse Corps, and called for steep cuts to the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), threatening key investments in nursing workforce pathways and nursing science.

However, the House Appropriations Committee’s FY 2027 LHHS-ED bill rejected these proposed cuts, providing $307.472 million for Title VIII programs, a $2 million increase over FY 2026, and level funding of $197.693 million for NINR, marking the first Title VIII increase since FY 2024. While AACN is encouraged by these gains, we remain concerned by the proposed elimination of the Nursing Workforce Diversity Program for a second consecutive year.

AACN Actions

• Released a statement voicing opposition to the proposed funding cuts and advocated for continued federal investment in nursing education, workforce, and research programs.
• Joined other national nursing organizations calling for investment in nurse scientists and researchers amid proposed FY 2027 cuts to NINR and Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs.
• Released a FY 2027 Appropriations chart to help our members better understand federal budget changes to these critical programs.
• Engaged AACN Advocates who sent more than 1,400 messages urging Members of Congress to sign onto the Title VIII Dear Colleague letters, resulting in 102 bipartisan Representatives and 39 Democratic Senators signing on in support of doubling funding for Title VIII.
• Submitted written testimony for the record to the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies in support of funding for Title VIII Programs and NINR in FY 2027.
• Met with appropriators and congressional champions outlining reasons to invest in our current and future nursing workforce.
• Joined coalition action and signed onto letters in support of federal funding for maternal health, public health, veterans’ health, behavioral health, academic research, federal student aid, CDC, and infectious disease prevention.
• Submitted programmatic funding requests to 70 congressional offices in support of Title VIII and NINR funding.
• Requested report language with dozens of congressional offices in support of investments in nurse faculty and nursing as a professional degree, both of which were included in the House Appropriations LHHS-ED FY 2027 bill.

In May 2025, Congressional leaders introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S.1874/H.R.3593), which will reauthorize the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs for FY 2026 through FY 2030.

AACN Actions

• Because of AACN’s strong engagement and leadership, the legislation has the support of all 65 organizations comprising the Nursing Community Coalition.
• Engaged with AACN members who sent more than 1,700 messages to their Representative and Senators asking them to support this legislation.
• Met with Congressional offices and committee staff to gain additional support and advance Title VIII reauthorization this Congress, elevating this request during AACN Hill Day meetings with Members and staff.
• Facilitated support for the Senate bill, which currently has the support of 15 bipartisan Senators, and the House bill, which has the support of 12 bipartisan Representatives, including six new House cosponsors and two new Senate cosponsors.

AACN strongly advocates for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) and the transformative work of nurse researchers and scientists as they advance evidence-based interventions and protect the nation’s health.

AACN Actions

• Released statements in opposition to the funding cuts and advocated for continued federal investment in nursing research; were pleased to see NINR mentioned in the House Appropriation bill, particularly around their work in AI.
• 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 NINR.
• Partnered with NINR Acting Director Dr. Courtney Aklin, who presented at the 2026 Student Policy Summit on how nurse scientists and NINR research advance health through discovery and improve prevention, care delivery, and health outcomes.
• Joined a NINR listening session and discussion focused on emerging scientific opportunities, key health challenges, and priorities for advancing nursing research to help shape NINR’s next strategic plan.

AACN continues to support legislation that advances academic nursing, strengthens pathways to the nursing workforce, and promotes the capacity of schools, faculty, and students. Below is a list of other legislative priorities we actively advocate for in Congressional offices.

• Providing Real-World Education and Clinical Experience by Precepting Tomorrow’s (PRECEPT) Nurses Act (S.131/H.R.392)
  • Creates a $2,000 tax credit for those who serve at least 200 hours as a clinical preceptor to nursing students, advanced practice nursing students, or newly hired licensed nurses, with specific emphasis on those in a Health Professional Shortage Area.
  • This legislation is currently cosponsored by 4 Senators and 27 Representatives.
• Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act (S.3707/H.R.7279)
  • Provides grant funding to close the pay gap between nurse faculty and clinical nurses.
  • This legislation is currently cosponsored by 2 Senators and 8 Representatives.
• Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act (S.1548/H.R.3145)
  • Creates parity between the Nurse Corps and other federal programs by eliminating federal income tax on Nurse Corps scholarships and loan repayments.
  • This legislation is currently cosponsored by 3 Senators and 7 Representatives.
• Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act (S.3435/H.R.6607)
  • Provides vital resources to support the needs of nursing students, recruit and retain faculty, modernize education infrastructure, and expand clinical education opportunities.
  • This legislation is currently cosponsored by 15 Senators and 8 Representatives.

Through advocacy, coalition building, and engagement with policymakers, AACN’s Government Affairs Team works to shape a policy environment that supports nursing schools, students, faculty, and the broader healthcare workforce. These efforts help ensure nurses continue to play a central role in improving health outcomes and expanding access to care.

AACN Actions

• Continued tracking our Face of Academic Nursing initiative to collect data and narratives about the impact of Title VIII programs and NINR and the need for continued federal funding.
• Presented AACN’s 2026 Student Policy Summit, giving more than 240 baccalaureate and graduate nursing students from 117 schools in 44 states and DC direct exposure to federal policymaking and advocacy engagement.
• Convened AACN’s 2026 Spring Hill Day that brought together more than 400 participants from 47 states who met with 274 Congressional offices.
• Hosted student group visits in AACN’s office to deepen understanding of federal policy issues impacting nursing education, research, and practice.
• Engaged with our State Grassroots Liaisons and the University Government Relations Collaborative to strengthen state-level advocacy capacity and expand engagement with federal priorities across AACN member institutions.
• Developed one-pagers, state sheets, and other helpful materials to use in advocacy efforts for key legislative and policy initiatives.
• Offered ongoing opportunities for AACN members to share their experiences and insights to better inform our collective advocacy efforts.