FNSNA Reaffirms Position on U. S. Department of Education’ s Reclassification of Nursing as a Non-professional Degree
For more than half a century, the Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association( FNSNA) has been dedicated to advancing the future of nursing. Established in 1969, our mission has remained unwavering: to secure scholarships and programmatic resources to support nursing education.
We are deeply alarmed by the U. S. Department of Education’ s recent decision to exclude nursing programs from the list of recognized professional degrees. This action threatens the financial accessibility of nursing education and places significant barriers in the path of students pursuing advanced practice roles— roles that are critical to the health and safety of our nation.
A Threat to the Nursing Pipeline
Nursing is not simply an academic pursuit; it is a profession grounded in science, leadership, innovation, and service. The decision to reclassify graduate nursing programs under standard federal loan limits, diminishes the educational pathways necessary for becoming nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical leaders, and educators. These are not optional positions— they are essential pillars of America’ s healthcare infrastructure, especially in underserved communities.
Reducing federal borrowing capacity for aspiring nurses will deter countless talented, compassionate individuals from pursuing the advanced education required to meet the demands of modern healthcare. This policy does not simply inconvenience students. It jeopardizes public health.
Our Commitment— Then and Now
Since 1974, FNSNA has awarded more than $ 12 million in scholarships to undergraduate nursing students. These scholarships exist because we believe that financial limitations should never be the reason a future nurse walks away from their calling. The Foundation operates
exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, and contributions to FNSNA are fully tax-deductible under our 501( C)( 3) status. Through prudent stewardship of our donors’ generosity, we cultivate the next generation of nurse leaders, scholars, and innovators.
Our vision is clear: to be the leading not-for-profit source of scholarships for nursing education, empowering the diverse nurse leaders who will shape tomorrow’ s healthcare landscape.
We Refuse to Stand Silent
This reclassification is not a mere administrative adjustment— it is a direct challenge to the integrity and sustainability of the nursing profession. At a time when the U. S. continues to face escalating shortages of nurses, nurse educators and advanced practice providers, this action sends the wrong message to students, educators, and patients alike.
FNSNA stands firmly with nursing students, educators, and healthcare organizations, urging the Department of Education to reconsider this decision. Nurses must be recognized and supported as the professionals they are.
We join with academic partners, healthcare leaders, and philanthropic allies to join us in protecting the pathways that allow students to become highly trained nurses. The future of nursing— the health of our nation— and the public at large depends on it.
We will continue to fight, to advocate, and to invest in the students who will one day lead this profession. Nursing is a professional discipline. It requires rigorous education, lifelong dedication, and extraordinary skill. That truth is not up for negotiation.
November / December 2025 17