Tri-Council, NCC say post-baccalaureate nursing should be ‘professional degree’

The Department of Education received more than 60,000 comments in response to its proposed rule on professional degree designations before the March 2 deadline. If implemented as proposed, the rule would significantly limit student loan access for post-baccalaureate nursing students. National nursing organizations presented a unified response, with 277 national and state organizations signing the Nursing and Friends letter. More than 150 members of Congress signing a bipartisan letter from Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) urging the department to recognize post-baccalaureate nursing as a professional degree. The Tri-Council for Nursing submitted comments and Tri-Council presidents published an Op-Ed in Becker’s Hospital Review. The Nursing Community Coalition also submitted letters highlighting the potential impact on the nursing workforce. The coordinated advocacy efforts reflect broad, bipartisan support for protecting access to post-baccalaureate nursing education and strengthening the nation’s health care workforce.