The American Nurses Association (ANA) is sounding the alarm over a new federal student loan eligibility proposal that the organization says could have severe consequences for the nursing workforce—and ultimately, patient access to care.

In a statement released November 26, 2025, ANA expressed deep concern over the Department of Education’s recent “myth vs. fact” messaging, which, according to ANA, downplays the potential harm of the proposed changes for graduate nursing students. The Department is currently considering rules that would exclude many graduate-level nursing programs from qualifying as professional degree programs for federal loan purposes.

ANA leaders say the stakes could not be higher.

There is bipartisan concern about the harm this proposal would cause to the nursing workforce and, by extension, patients’ access to healthcare. Policymakers across parties recognize the essential role nurses—and especially advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)—play in closing critical gaps in primary care, maternal health, behavioral health, and specialty care.

ANA President Dr. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, emphasized the real-world impact such loan restrictions would have on patients and communities.

“Americans should be very concerned about the impact of this proposal on patient care, said  Dr. Mensik Kennedy. “For example, advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthesiologists, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives are board certified and highly educated. Their post-baccalaureate ‘graduate’ studies lead to professional licensure as a healthcare provider. In many communities, they provide access to patient care that would otherwise be unavailable.”

A Proposal at Odds with Federal Health Priorities

The Department of Education’s Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee recommended excluding graduate-level nursing education from professional program recognition—a move ANA says contradicts other federal initiatives that actively support nurses’ expanding role in healthcare.

For example, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Rural Transformation Grants recently invested in advanced practice nurses to expand access to care in rural communities, many of which rely almost exclusively on nurses. According to ANA, the new loan proposal would undermine that progress.

Another primary concern: not a single nurse served on the RISE committee, and the committee relied on what ANA describes as “an antiquated list” that fails to reflect today’s reality—that APRNs are licensed healthcare providers and critical members of the care delivery infrastructure.

Faculty Shortages Threaten the Pipeline

The proposal also comes at a time when the nation is already confronting a severe nurse faculty shortage, further raising red flags about limiting financial support for graduate nursing education.

“In 2022, nursing schools reported more than 2,100 full-time faculty vacancies,” said Dr. Mensik Kennedy. “These faculty vacancies resulted in over 80,000 qualified student applications being turned away. Without adequate faculty, we simply cannot educate the nurses America needs, let alone expand the advanced practice workforce that healthcare requires.”

Restricting federal loan eligibility for graduate nursing students, she added, would almost certainly discourage nurses from pursuing the advanced degrees required to teach future generations.

Data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) underscores the urgency: a significant proportion of faculty are nearing retirement, creating a shrinking pipeline of educators at a time when demand for nurses continues to grow.

A Financial Burden on Future APRNs

Graduate nursing education also comes with a substantial price tag. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nurses pursuing graduate degrees face average annual costs above $30,000, far exceeding the proposed $20,500 annual federal loan cap.

The National Academy of Medicine has also stressed that support for education and training needs in the nursing profession, including the pursuit of higher degrees, is widely recognized as among the highest priorities for our nation’s health system.

ANA argues that nurses have shown they make responsible and informed decisions regarding their education. Advanced practice degrees provide a strong return on investment, enabling borrowers to reliably repay their loans while increasing access to essential care.

200,000 Nurses and Patients Call for Action

Concern about the proposal has sparked swift and widespread mobilization. In recent days, more than 200,000 nurses and patients have signed ANA’s petition urging the Department of Education to modify the policy before issuing a final rule.The organization is encouraging nurses nationwide to make their voices heard by visiting RNAction.org and adding their names.