11/25/2025
Nurses are professionals. Sign our petition and let your voice be heard.
Nursing is a profession, essential to the health and safety of every American. Yet the U.S. Department of Education is moving forward with a proposal that excludes graduate nursing programs from the definition of “professional degree” programs eligible for higher federal graduate loans.
If this proposal stands, graduate nursing students would have access to only half the amount of federal student loan funding available to physicians, dentists, and other listed professions. This would make it harder for nurses to pursue advanced practice and faculty roles at a time when our healthcare system needs them most.
This decision would have far-reaching consequences for the nursing workforce and for patients nationwide. Limiting access to graduate education funding undermines efforts to address workforce shortages, expand care in rural and underserved communities, and strengthen nursing education. It also conflicts with other parts of the federal administration that have recognized the value of advanced practice nursing and invested in expanding these roles.
In just a few days, more than 130,000 people have already signed our petition urging the Department to correct this mistake. This issue affects every nurse, every patient, and every community that depends on high-quality care.
Please take a moment to add your voice now.
SIGN THE PETITION https://ana.quorum.us/campaign/professionaldegreepetition/?utm_campaign=30316949-25_ANA_Professional%20Degree%20Petition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-87TwKEeTMbYYcNscgPeh3z8w56toqTiisxWrvAOzsGKM4-zm61F2y8dJSBxpPUrzUN5rZj-ifio05jNOz2RG8guYr_Tw&_hsmi=391475650&utm_content=391475650&utm_source=hs_email
Together, we can ensure that the nursing profession receives the recognition and respect it deserves. Nurses are vital to every patient, every community, and the future of our healthcare system.
With gratitude,
Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
President, American Nurses Association
