On today’s episode we’re going to talk about the Department of Education degree designations, particularly its assertion that graduate Nursing degrees are not considered Professional. What does this mean for us as nurses, what do our nursing associations have to say about it, and why can’t I get one goddamn moment of peace in this world fml.

Action Items:

Call congress. (202) 224-3121 for the U.S. House switchboard operator or go to congress.gov

• Send email, letters, or comment directly:
  • https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Final-Letter-to-Under-Secretary-Kent-on-Nursing-Loans.pdf 
  • Or Comment directly: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/ED-2025-OPE-0944-0001 
  • Remember not to sweat what this admin thinks because they literally stole food from children (and honestly, it's the least terrible thing they've done to children): https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/15/politics/justice-jackson-snap-fight

Sources:

Old-timey law they're basing this on: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-668/subpart-A/section-668.2

New-timey law they're trying to push: https://www.newsweek.com/nursing-not-professional-degree-trump-admin-11079650

What the ANA thinks about it: https://www.nursingworld.org/news/news-releases/2025/statement-from-the-american-nurses-association-on-proposed-federal-loan-policy-changes/

What the AACN thinks about it: https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/aacn-alarmed-over-department-of-educations-proposed-limitation-of-student-loan-access-for-nursing

What the AANP thinks about it: https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/national-nurse-practitioner-organizations-express-concern-over-department-of-education-negotiated-rulemaking

Even some MDs get it, like these: https://www.careproviders.org/CPM/CPM/ACTION/Vol40/Ed46/ZP05.aspx and https://nyam.org/article/response-to-stripping-professional-status-as-proposed-by-the-department-of-education/

Even though most MD orgs are busy trying to limit ARNP scope: https://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=65853

And here's some MDs in the comment section getting absolutely schooled by NPs: https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB3794/2025

Latest demographics on the nursing workforce that I could find: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/data-research/access-data-tools/national-sample-survey-registered-nurses

Also, never forget, male nurses make more than female nurses simply because they are male: https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/nchwa/nursing-workforce-dashboard

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Thank you for listening and have a safe shift