Nursing included in Education Department’s interim list of professional degrees

MSN, DNP and Doctorate of Nursing Anesthesia Practice nursing students now are eligible to borrow higher federal student loan amounts, says a Department of Education revised rule. However, PhD students remain ineligible. The Department reversed course after a federal judge blocked part of its final rule holding post-baccalaureate nursing students to lower limits. Agency officials said the change was temporary while they appeal the decision to retain the original rule, which labeled medicine, law and other fields as “professional programs” but excluded nursing. AONL CEO Claire Zangerle, DNP, RN, said the change is “critical to strengthening the healthcare workforce and preparing the next generation of nurse leaders, clinicians, scientists and educators.” She added that AONL will advocate for the inclusion of PhD nursing programs. (AP article, 6/30/26)