Act Now: Proposed Rule Comment Period Ends March 2, 2026

Dear Members and Followers, 

This past Monday, I, along with Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) colleagues, had the  opportunity to meet with the U.S. Senators and their staff on Capitol Hill. We discussed existing barriers to patient care, offering solutions for providing quality healthcare. A central focus of our discussion was a pressing concern: a proposed rule by the Department of Education that excludes nursing from the definition of a "professional degree."

This proposed reclassification would have a direct and detrimental impact on the federal funding available for nurses pursuing post-baccalaureate education. Specifically, it would cap federal loans for graduate nursing students at $20,500 per year with a total limit of $100,000. This is a significant reduction from the $50,000 annual and $200,000 aggregate loans available to students in programs still designated as "professional." The new regulations are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Nurses aspiring to become educators and teach the next generation, as well as those seeking to become advanced practice nurses, would face significant financial barriers to completing their programs. At a time when our nation is already grappling with a significant shortage of both nursing faculty and nurse practitioners, this policy would undoubtedly exacerbate the crisis. Nursing leaders have warned that this could particularly harm healthcare access in rural and underserved communities, where nurse practitioners are vital.

The rationale for excluding nursing is flawed, as the profession unequivocally meets the established criteria for a professional degree. As defined by the Department of Education in 1994 and echoed in the new proposed framework, a professional degree:

1. Signifies completion of academic requirements for beginning practice. A Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice is the required degree to sit for board certification as an advanced practice nurse.
2. Requires a level of professional skill beyond a bachelor’s degree. The minimum requirement for advanced practice is a master's degree, with many now holding a doctorate.
3. Necessitates professional licensure. Professional licensure and board certification are mandatory for practice as a nurse practitioner.

Leading nursing organizations, including the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), have voiced strong opposition to this proposal. They argue that excluding nursing disregards the profession's complexity and decades of advancement, and they are urging the administration to reconsider this damaging reclassification. The Department of Education has opened a public comment period, offering a crucial window for stakeholders to voice their concerns until March 2, 2026.

Please submit formal comments to the Department of Education urging the Department to explicitly include post-baccalaureate nursing degrees in the list of professional degrees. Your stories and patient experiences can make a difference.

Click here for more information: AANP Advocacy Center

Sincerely,

Yusimi Sobrino-Bonilla

VP technology, Past President