“When Policy Redefines a Profession: What the New Degree Rules Mean for Nursing”

Nursing Is Still a Profession—Even If Policy Says Otherwise

The proposed change to exclude nursing from the federal definition of a “professional degree” has understandably left the healthcare community with many questions. The proposed change simply removes nursing from the list of programs, such as medicine, dentistry, and law, that meet the definition of a “professional degree.”

Despite the overall confusion about this shift, we know the implications: this change is about funding, about access to advanced degree education, and, most importantly, about the future nursing workforce.

Let’s be clear. Nursing is a profession grounded in scientific knowledge, the use of clinical judgment, strong leadership skills, and the ability to provide evidence-based and compassionate care. Nurses are educated and prepared to make split-second decisions, respond to rapidly changing patient conditions, and coordinate care during the most vulnerable points in patients’ lives. To say that this preparation is anything less than “professional” is an insult to the important work nurses do every day.

We also know the implications of this proposed reclassification of nursing as a nonprofessional degree. While many aspiring entry-level nurse graduates will continue to find ways to pursue advanced nursing education, this change will artificially limit the pool of nurse graduates by restricting loan caps and financial aid. As the country struggles to find enough nurse educators, advanced practice providers, and nursing leaders, this change could stymie access to the next level of nursing education at a time when we need more nurse leaders, not fewer.

Nurses should not be concerned about semantics or definitions about the care they provide or the work they do. Nurses need recognition for the full scope of their work—not just at the bedside, but also in the research lab, in simulation education, as leaders, and as innovators. Nursing is not the same as it was even 20 years ago. It is essential that any changes in federal policy recognize nurses as clinical experts and the most trusted patient advocates. Nursing needs to be—and has always been—a part of this list of professional degrees.

As usual, we in the nursing community are taking action. We encourage you to read the proposed changes. We encourage you to share your thoughts and reactions on social media. And we will continue to advocate for federal policies that help grow the nursing workforce and improve patient care.

Dear Friends, Colleagues, Supporters, and Nurses across the Nation:

The profession of nursing has always been one of science, ethics, leadership, and human kindness. Generations of nurses have moved health care forward through critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and a steadfast capacity to hold space for patients at the most fragile moments of their lives. Policy definitions cannot be allowed to retcon the level of preparation, accountability, and expertise that nursing requires, nor can they be allowed to wipe away decades of achievement, scholarship, and professional development.

The time is now for unity and action. Now is the time to be loud, proud, and unrelenting in our communications about the value of nurses at every level of the health care system. Making sure that nursing education is accessible, well funded, respected, and acknowledged as a profession is not just for nurses—it is for the safety of every patient and the future of the entire system. Nurses have always been, and always will be, leaders in care and in health care.

📌 Hashtags for Blog or Social Media

#NursingProfession #NurseEducator #NursingLeadership #DNPJourney
#SupportNursing #HealthcarePolicy #NursesAdvocate #NurseStrong
#ProfessionalNursing #FutureOfNursing #NurseVoicesMatter

📚 References

Diversity Employment. (2025, November 21). Nursing is no longer considered a “professional” degree. https://diversityemployment.com/news/nursing-is-no-longer-considered-a-professional-degree/

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2025). AACN response to proposed federal definition of professional degree programs [Policy statement].

American Nurses Association. (2025). Advocacy alert: Federal reclassification threatens nursing education access.

U.S. Department of Education. (2025). Proposed regulations for professional and graduate degree classifications (draft rulemaking summary).

Institute of Medicine. (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. National Academies Press.

Written By

Juram Gorriceta, MPA, BSN, RN, LSSHP, Nurse Advance Simulator Educator.