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Nursing No Longer a "Professional Degree"? Say What Now Trump?

A healthcare worker wearing a lab coat, medical mask, and gloves holds a globe, symbolizing global healthcare, responsibility, or pandemic response.
When your job description says 'care for the world' and you take it very literally.
Nursing isn’t a “professional degree” anymore? So they say. Here's the bizarre federal rule change that has nurses scratching their heads, educators up in arms, and student loans caught in the crossfire.

Once upon a time in America (okay, like yesterday), nurses were considered professionals. You know, the cap-wearing, life-saving, IV-inserting heroes who hold your hand when you’re scared and administer meds that keep your butt out of the ICU.


But guess what?


Under a new move by the Trump Administration’s Department of Education, nursing is—wait for it—no longer counted as a “professional degree”.


Cue the collective spit-take from every RN, APRN, DNP, and coffee-fueled nursing student in the country.


What Even Is a Professional Degree?

So apparently, in the wild world of federal student loan policy, a "professional degree" is now being redefined. Think doctors, dentists, lawyers, pharmacists... and not nurses. 😬

The Department of Education (DOE) wants to reserve higher federal student loan limits for those fancy “professional” degrees—because God forbid someone save your life without a six-figure debt cap. Nursing, under the new proposed rule, gets booted from the VIP list.


That’s right. Your favorite nurse practitioner? Not a professional anymore. Just a person with a master’s or doctorate degree who prescribes meds, performs assessments, and carries the emotional burden of your entire hospital stay. No big deal.


Why This Matters (Beyond the Personal Insult)

The reclassification isn’t just about semantics—it's about money. Specifically, student loans.


Here’s the scoop:


  • “Professional degree” students can borrow more money through federal student aid (e.g., Grad PLUS loans).

  • Nursing students? Under the proposed changes, they may be lumped into regular ol’ grad school loan caps, which are much lower.

  • Translation: Nursing students could be priced out of advanced degrees.


Which is ironic, because last time we checked:


  • The U.S. is in the middle of a nursing shortage.

  • Rural and underserved communities desperately need more nurse practitioners and nurse educators.

  • The healthcare system is basically held together with nursing students, coffee, and 12-hour shifts.



The Reaction: Nurses Be Like…

Nurses across America are understandably furious, confused, and maybe a little insulted.

Professional groups aren't holding back:


  • The American Nurses Association (ANA) called it a blow to the healthcare workforce.

  • The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) said it undermines decades of progress in professional parity.


It’s not just symbolic—it’s structural. As AACN President Deborah Trautman put it, this move “jeopardizes the future of advanced nursing education.” And trust us, nobody wants that. Especially not your aging population, diabetic uncle, or that one guy who thinks every rash is scurvy.


But Wait! There’s Still Hope…

This reclassification isn’t final yet. It’s part of a proposed rule tied to federal student loan reform and won’t kick in until July 1, 2026—if it goes through.


Until then:


  • Public comment periods are coming up (yes, your opinion matters!).

  • Nursing organizations are mobilizing.

  • You can bet that somewhere, a nurse is crafting a strongly-worded email… while starting an IV… while being on hold with insurance.


Let’s be real: Nurses are professionals. More than that—they're the glue, the guts, and sometimes the only thing keeping a hospital from collapsing into chaos. Whether it’s a bedside RN or a doctoral-level nurse researcher, these folks are crucial to public health.

Maybe—just maybe—we should stop pretending like they’re “less than” because their degree doesn't come with a stethoscope-shaped logo. Stay tuned for updates and more in-depth coverage of your favorite celebrities and entertainment news! Create a free membership account with us today!


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References

  • Newsweek. (2025). Nursing no longer counted as a ‘professional degree’ by Trump administration. Link

  • American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2025). AACN Alarmed Over Department of Education’s Proposed Limitation of Student Loan Access for Nursing. Link

  • American Nurses Association. (2025). Statement on Proposed Federal Loan Policy Changes. Link

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