The Trump administration is proposing a rule that would exclude nursing from the list of professional degree programs, placing harsh limits on how much nursing students can borrow for their education.

This is not just a paperwork change—it’s a threat to America’s nursing workforce at a time when we are already facing nationwide nurse shortages in hospitals, clinics, and rural communities.

If adopted, this proposal would:

• Cap graduate nursing students at $20,500 per year in federal loans—far below tuition at many schools.
• Remove access to the Grad PLUS loan program, which currently helps cover full costs.
• Make it harder for students from low- and middle-income backgrounds to pursue advanced nursing degrees.
• Disincentivize future nurses from entering high-demand roles in primary care, women’s health, and rural medicine.

Meanwhile, students in programs like medicine, law, and pharmacy would still be allowed to borrow up to $50,000 per year and $200,000 lifetime.

We are calling on:

The U.S. Department of Education
The White House Office of Domestic Policy
Congressional education and health committees
To:

• Recognize nursing as a professional degree program eligible for full graduate-level borrowing limits.
• Reverse harmful loan caps for nurse practitioner and advanced nursing students.
• Commit to supporting the nursing workforce, especially in underserved and rural communities.

Nurses are essential. They are not “less professional” than pharmacists or podiatrists. Excluding them sends the wrong message—and puts public health at risk.

Sign this petition if you believe nursing must be recognized, respected, and supported at every level.