LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Department of Education recently announced plans to reclassify nursing, saying it would no longer be recognized as a professional degree.
The changes are part of the Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” and would limit federal loans and financial support for nursing students. The reclassification would effectively cap federal loans for advanced nursing degrees, slashing assistance by more than half from $200,000 to $60,000.
Nevada nursing students face uncertain future
Nevada already ranks among the states with the biggest nursing shortage, currently ranking 43rd. The change would cut federal loans for nurses by more than half, and faculty members at Roseman University say that could mean fewer students coming through their doors.
Kimiko Takimi, a 21-year-old first-year nursing student at Roseman University, said the news felt like “a punch in the gut.”
“I just love helping people. I think that nursing is really rewarding,” Takimi said. But she added that the funding cuts may prevent her from continuing her education. “I know I won’t be able to fund so even if I did want to continue I can’t.”
University officials express shock at decision
Dr. Andrea LeClair, associate dean of the School of Nursing at Roseman University, said she was shocked by the announcement.
“My first thoughts were this can’t be real,” LeClair said. She warned the decision could have lasting ramifications not just for students but for patients.
“Nurses are the glue of healthcare we have the most face to face time with our patients,” LeClair said. “Nurses are the epitome of professionalism to say that we are not professionals that just doesn’t make sense to me.”
LeClair said nursing association groups are currently urging the federal government to reconsider the classification.
If nothing is changed, the new classification will go into effect in 2026. National nursing associations have written letters to the administration and say they plan to host a march in Washington, D.C., in response.
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