Donald Trump’s administration recently excluded nursing from the official classification of “professional degree” programs as part of a student loan reform initiative, sparking strong criticism from the nursing community. This means nurses seeking graduate education will have less access to federal student loan funding, potentially making it more difficult for them to pursue advanced degrees.
Details of Trump’s Statement and Policy
The decision is a part of Trump's “One Big Beautiful Bill,” aimed at overhauling student loans and federal education spending. In this context, President Trump’s administration redefined which fields count as “professional degrees”—a label that qualifies students for higher loan limits under federal programs. By excluding nursing, the administration said that only certain degree fields, such as law and medicine, now qualify as professional degrees, leaving nursing students subject to a lower borrowing cap.
Reaction to Trump’s Comments and Policy
Nursing organizations have condemned the move, stating that it threatens patient care by restricting access to advanced education. Critics say the change will worsen the ongoing nursing shortage, hinder nurses’ ability to gain credentials for leadership and teaching roles, and disproportionately impact women-dominated professions. Nursing leaders argue that, if the Trump administration truly wanted to support nurses, it would expand educational opportunities and improve working conditions rather than limit access to funding and training.
Impact on Nursing Education
Over 260,000 students in Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs and around 42,000 in associate degree programs could be affected. The new measures are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, and could impact nurse training throughout the country, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Advanced practice nurses in those regions help ensure communities maintain access to high-quality healthcare services, and restricting their educational routes may further strain the system during periods of high demand.
