NNU Condemns Proposed Rule Excluding Nursing Students from Loans

Proposed Rule to Limit Graduate Nursing Student Loans Faces Opposition from National Nurses United

National Nurses United (NNU) has expressed strong opposition to a new rule proposed by the Trump administration, which is currently open for public comment until March 2. The rule aims to exclude graduate nursing students from accessing professional loans that have higher limits compared to other graduate student loans. The union has released a statement criticizing the proposal.

NNU has been vocal about the detrimental impact of the rule on the nursing profession, particularly on graduate students seeking advanced degrees. The union argues that restricting loan access for a predominantly female workforce is both sexist and demeaning.

According to NNU, the proposed rule is a continuation of policies from H.R. 1, a bill that previously reduced Medicaid and other public health programs while providing tax breaks for the wealthy. The union believes that this rule will further hinder nurses pursuing advanced degrees, such as nurse practitioners (NPs) and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), roles that are vital for healthcare in rural and underserved communities. NPs, for example, are crucial for primary care in these areas, while CRNAs often serve as primary anesthesia providers.

The proposed rule would limit graduate nursing students from accessing loans with higher limits available to other professions recognized by the Department of Education (DOE). These professional degrees receive significantly more funding per academic year and in total than graduate nursing degrees. This restriction could force many nursing students, especially women, students of color, and those from low-income backgrounds, to rely on private loans, which are often hard to obtain and come with high interest rates. Additionally, graduate nurses may not qualify for loan forgiveness programs available to other professional degrees, making it harder to find faculty with advanced degrees for nursing programs.

NNU contends that if the administration aimed to support nurses, it would focus on improving working conditions, broadening educational opportunities, and ensuring accessible healthcare. Instead, it argues, the administration is making education less attainable and cutting crucial healthcare services, which will exacerbate the existing nurse staffing crisis, often mislabeled as a "nursing shortage." The crisis, according to NNU, stems from hospitals not staffing adequately, leading to unsafe conditions for both patients and nurses. Over a million registered nurses are currently not working at the bedside, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

NNU is actively opposing the rule and encourages nurses and allied organizations to submit comments before the deadline on March 2, 2026.

National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the United States, with more than 225,000 members nationwide. NNU affiliates include the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, DC Nurses Association, Michigan Nurses Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, and New York State Nurses Association.