11/25/2025
Student loans opened the doors for me to earn my DNP and be a part of the 1% of Latinas with a Doctorate Degree. Because of that access, Iām now able to care for my community as a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner with the advanced skills, knowledge, and training our patients deserve. I have the privilege of caring for the community that once cared for me with excellence, empathy, and dedication.
This isnāt just a title change itās a full-blown attack on nursesā futures.
The DOEās decision to no longer recognize nursing as a āprofessionā threatens more than our identity. It puts up financial roadblocks for nurses who want to advance.
Hereās whatās really at stake:
* Grad PLUS loans the lifeline many of us used to fund NP, DNP, or CRNA programs are being eliminated starting July 2026.
* Instead of borrowing up to the total cost of attendance, weāll be capped at $20,500/year and $100,000 total.
* But many advanced nursing programs cost well over $100K when you factor in tuition, fees, and living expenses.
š° Why canāt programs just lower their costs? Advanced nursing schools operate with:
* High-paid nursing faculty
* Clinical placement fees
* Simulation labs and expensive equipment
* Accreditation costs
Cutting costs enough to absorb this gap simply isnāt realistic so students will be forced to:
* Take on private loans (with sky-high interest)
* Use savings or family help
* Or walk away from advanced degrees entirely
Thatās not just a financial cap itās a barrier.āØAnd the fallout? Fewer NPs, CRNAs, and nurse educators in the future = even bigger gaps in healthcare.
This is more than policy language. This is a direct threat to nurses. š
We need to speak up for ourselves, for future nurses, and for the patients who depend on us.
