The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), together with partners in the Nursing Community, has been actively engaging with staff for members of the House Education and Workforce Committee and the Senate HELP Committee, which have jurisdiction over the federal student loan program. We have urged these congressional offices to press the Department of Education to reverse the proposed policy removing nursing from the “professional degree” category, and, if necessary, to consider legislative remedies to protect nurses’ access to appropriate federal loan limits.

AWHONN is deeply concerned that this policy change would weaken the nation’s nursing workforce. Lowering federal loan limits for graduate nursing students would make advanced nursing education more costly and less accessible, limiting the number of nurses able to pursue master’s and doctoral preparation. This will make shortages of nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, and nurse educators even more critical.

The proposal would also undermine ongoing efforts to diversify the nursing workforce. Increased financial barriers disproportionately impact students from historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, further reducing access to advanced education and limiting progress toward a more equitable and culturally responsive profession.

AWHONN urges the Department of Education to revise this proposal and ensure nursing remains fully recognized as the essential professional pathway it is.

Get involved by taking part in AWHONN on Capitol Hill.
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