AFSCME Nurses Oppose Rule Devaluing Their Education and Training

AFSCME Nurses Advocate for Educational Recognition on Capitol Hill

In an effort to protect their professional integrity and access to education, AFSCME nurses from across the United States convened in Washington, D.C. They aimed to contest a forthcoming rule from the U.S. Department of Education, which they believe undermines their advanced training and qualifications.

The contentious rule, expected to be implemented in July 2026, would reclassify advanced degrees in vital fields such as nursing, social work, physical therapy, and public health. These degrees would no longer be considered "professional degrees," potentially limiting federal student loan availability for students pursuing these careers. More about the rule can be found here.

This move could exacerbate the existing staffing shortages in healthcare, as warned by the AFSCME delegation during their meetings with various members of Congress, including Rep. Tim Kennedy from New York and Rep. Pete Aguilar from California. The nurses emphasized the potential consequences of this decision, which could leave communities vulnerable in future public health emergencies. A related staffing crisis article is available here.

Lucky Longoria, a nurse from Los Angeles and member of the UNAC/UHCP, shared her concerns, stating, “I want to leave the next generation with the nursing profession better than we received it. My niece in nursing school is walking into an industry that doesn’t have the security I had 15 years ago. And that is a shameful thing.” More about UNAC/UHCP can be found here.

The delegation also advocated for legislative support, urging Congress to adopt Kennedy's LEAP Act. This proposed legislation seeks to maintain federal student loan assistance for those pursuing advanced degrees in essential public health fields. Details about the LEAP Act can be read here.

Highlighting the need for recognition, Tim Craig from AFSCME Michigan 925 remarked, “It’s such a disrespectful thing to tell people who take care of everyone that you’re not professional. [Nurses] are professional. We are college educated. We are highly trained.” For more on AFSCME Michigan 925, visit here.