PNAO

𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 (𝐏𝐍𝐀𝐀) 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

November 2025

The Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) strongly opposes the Department of Education’s proposed reclassification that would exclude nursing from the definition of “professional degree” programs, thereby restricting nurses’ access to essential federal graduate loan programs. This change poses a direct threat to the nursing workforce pipeline and jeopardizes equitable access to advanced education for thousands of Filipino American nurses across the United States.

As the largest body representing Filipino American nurses nationwide, PNAA is committed to promoting excellence in nursing practice, advancing leadership, advocating for equitable health policy, and uplifting the communities we serve. The Department’s proposal undermines these core values and contradicts the educational rigor, licensure requirements, and clinical responsibilities demanded of the nursing profession.

Nursing is—and must remain—recognized as a professional discipline. The proposed federal definition disregards the specialized training, critical thinking, and clinical competencies required to deliver safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. It also threatens the development of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse educators, clinical leaders, and researchers—roles essential to addressing workforce shortages, improving health equity, and ensuring access to care in underserved areas.

Restricting federal loan access will disproportionately harm first-generation, immigrant, and minority nurses. Filipino American nurses, many of whom pursue graduate education to expand their practice, contribute to academia, or move into leadership roles, would face heightened financial barriers as a result of this policy.

PNAA’s position is informed by the broader concerns raised across the nursing profession, including those reflected in the joint statements issued by over 58 professional nursing organizations and coalitions. While we are aligned in principle with the issues highlighted by national nursing leaders, PNAA offers this independent statement to emphasize the unique and disproportionate impact the proposed rule would have on Filipino American nurses, immigrant populations, and the diverse communities they serve. A link to the joint statement on the American Nurses Association website is provided for additional context and reference.

𝐏𝐍𝐀𝐀 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨:
• Revise the proposed definition of “professional degree” to explicitly include nursing, consistent with national accreditation and licensure standards.
• Engage meaningfully with nursing organizations—including ethnic minority nurse associations—to ensure equitable and informed rulemaking.
• Promote, rather than restrict, pathways to graduate nursing education, which are essential to sustaining a competent and diverse healthcare workforce.

𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐝
PNAA encourages all members, leaders, students, and allies to join the national advocacy effort. These actions help demonstrate the breadth of opposition to the proposed rule.

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Nursing IS a Professional Degree – Add Your Name:
https://ana.quorum.us/campaign/professionaldegreepetition/

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
Help illustrate the real-world impact of restricting graduate nursing loans.
Tell Your Story – Why Nursing Must Remain a Professional Degree:
https://ana.quorum.us/campaign/shareyourstoryeducation/

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲
As part of the federal rulemaking process, the Department of Education will soon open a public comment period. Every submitted comment becomes part of the official record and can influence whether the Department revises or withdraws the proposed rule.

PNAA will provide guidance, talking points, and sample language to support members in submitting strong, meaningful comments once the window opens.

Nurses are the backbone of the American healthcare system and essential to the health and safety of all communities. The Department of Education must recognize nursing as the professional discipline it is and ensure that financial barriers do not restrict the future of the U.S. nursing workforce.

PNAA stands committed to protecting access to advanced nursing education and to uplifting the leadership, expertise, and contributions of Filipino American nurses across the nation.

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🎉Huge Congratulations to Manelita Dayon, MN, RN! 🎉

We're thrilled to celebrate your outstanding achievement in earning a Master in Nursing, majoring in Administration, from Ateneo de Davao! Your dedication, perseverance, and passion for nursing leadership have truly paid off.

Here's to your exciting journey ahead and the incredible difference you will continue to make in healthcare! 🌟

PNAA Executive Board Meeting November 19, 2025

A huge thank you to our dedicated board members for their passion and commitment! Together, we’re shaping the future of nursing and making a real difference. ❤️