MONL Statement on Professional Degree Changes Under OBBBA

  The Maryland Organization of Nurse Leaders (MONL) has issued a formal letter to Congress opposing the Department of Education’s proposal to remove MSN and DNP programs from professional degree classification under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This change would drastically reduce federal loan access for nursing students (as well as students in other professional fields) and threaten Maryland’s ability to build and sustain a strong nursing workforce. MONL urges federal leaders to protect nursing education and preserve access to financial support necessary for future nurses and nurse leaders. Our letter is posted below.

Dear [Senator/Representative],

On behalf of the Maryland Organization of Nurse Leaders, we write to express our deep concern regarding the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed redefinition of “professional degrees” under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). This proposal would exclude nursing graduate programs—such as MSN and DNP—from the professional designation, thereby reducing federal loan limits and eliminating access to critical financial support for aspiring nurses.

This change threatens to undermine the future of the nursing workforce at a time when our healthcare system is already strained by widespread nursing shortages. In Maryland and across the country, we are struggling to recruit and retain qualified nurses. Our academic institutions face a severe shortage of faculty, and this proposal would further limit our ability to educate the next generation of nurses by making graduate education financially inaccessible for many.

If enacted, the proposal would cap federal loans for nursing students at $20,500 annually—less than half the amount available to students in other professional programs. It would also eliminate access to Grad PLUS loans, which many nursing students rely on to complete their education. These financial barriers will discourage talented individuals from entering the profession and prevent current nurses from advancing their education and leadership capabilities.

The long-term impact on our communities cannot be overstated. Fewer nurses mean longer wait times, reduced access to care, and increased health disparities—especially in underserved and rural areas. Maryland’s healthcare infrastructure depends on a robust and well-trained nursing workforce to deliver safe, high-quality care. This proposal jeopardizes that foundation.

We urge you to oppose the Department of Education’s reclassification and advocate for the continued recognition of nursing as a professional degree. Nursing is not only a profession—it is a cornerstone of public health, patient safety, and community well-being.

We welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how we can work together to protect and strengthen the nursing workforce in Maryland and beyond.

Sincerely,

Maryland Organization of Nurse Leaders