Nursing Excluded from Professional Degrees: Trump's Impact

President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" has sent shockwaves through the healthcare community by excluding nursing from the federal definition of a "professional degree," reclassifying graduate nursing programs and threatening to exacerbate the nation's critical nursing shortage. This policy shift, effective July 1, 2026, directly impacts student loan eligibility and funding for aspiring nurses nationwide.

What Changed in the Definition?

The U.S. Department of Education recently revised its decades-old definition of "professional degree" to align with President Trump's education overhaul. Previously, the 1965 law included an open-ended list of fields like medicine, law, and veterinary medicine, with language suggesting nursing might qualify. Under the new definition, only ten specific disciplines are officially recognized:

• Medicine (MD/DO)
• Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
• Dentistry (DDS/DMD)
• Optometry (OD)
• Law (JD)
• Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Osteopathic Medicine
• Podiatry
• Chiropractic
• Clinical Psychology

Notably absent from this list are nursing, physician assistant, and physical therapy programs. The Department of Education defended this decision, stating it "aligns with historical precedent" and ends "unlimited tuition rides on the taxpayer dime."

Financial Impact on Nursing Students

This reclassification has severe financial consequences for nursing education. Under the new rules:

• Professional students can borrow $50,000 annually (up to $200,000 lifetime)
• Non-professional graduate students are capped at $20,500 annually (up to $100,000 lifetime)
• The Grad PLUS loan program, crucial for covering tuition gaps, will be eliminated

With nursing programs costing $12,000–$100,000+ for advanced degrees (MSN), many students will face insurmountable financial barriers.

Threatening the Nursing Workforce

The timing couldn't be worse. The U.S. faces a historic nursing shortage, with over 300,000 students currently enrolled in nursing programs. Advanced practice nurses (NPs, CRNAs, etc.) are especially critical in rural and underserved areas where they often serve as primary care providers.

"At a time when healthcare in our country faces a historic nurse shortage... limiting nurses’ access to funding for graduate education threatens the very foundation of patient care."
— Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, President, American Nurses Association

Healthcare experts warn this policy could deter enrollment in graduate nursing programs, particularly among economically disadvantaged students. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) argues that nursing meets all criteria for a professional discipline: rigorous education, mandatory licensure, and direct patient care responsibilities.

What Happens Now?

With implementation scheduled for July 2026, nursing organizations are urging policymakers to reconsider. The AACN and ANA have launched advocacy campaigns to highlight how this decision "disregards decades of progress" toward healthcare workforce parity.

Prospective students should explore alternative funding sources now, including scholarships, grants, and employer tuition assistance. For current nurses, the ANA recommends staying informed through updates from nursing associations and contacting congressional representatives to voice concerns.

The Bottom Line

By reclassifying nursing, the Trump administration's education policy risks creating a "public health disaster," according to critics. As Patricia Pittman of George Washington University notes, "Education is the single best way to retain nurses, especially in rural and underserved communities." Without accessible funding for advanced degrees, America's healthcare system could face dire staffing shortages just as demand surges. The nursing community now awaits whether policymakers will reverse course before the July 2026 implementation deadline.