US nursing students face new financial barriers after the Department of Education excluded their courses from the ‘professional degree’ category under a sweeping overhaul of federal loan programmes. The reclassification, which significantly lowers the borrowing cap for postgraduate nursing studies, has drawn sharp criticism from industry leaders who warn it will deepen the nation’s healthcare workforce crisis. Nurse Courses Not A ‘Professional Degree’ Anymore The legislation, titled the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’, eliminates the Grad PLUS loans that many students have relied on to pay for postgraduate study and replaces them with a tighter system of caps and categories. Under the new rules, only students on recognised ‘professional degree’ tracks can access the highest loan limit of approximately £157, 000, while everyone else studying at graduate level is restricted to roughly £78, 000 in total borrowing. The exclusion of nursing means thousands of trainee nurses will have to finance years of expensive clinical education within that lower ceiling or abandon their plans altogether. At the same time, the bill delivers more than £1. 2 trillion ($1. 5 trillion) in tax cuts for the wealthiest 5 per cent of Americans, a contrast that has drawn criticism from healthcare unions. For working-class and first-generation students in particular, the American Nursing Association (ANA) warns that the new borrowing limits will act as a significant barrier to advanced training, closing off pathways into specialist roles that communities urgently need. With nurse shortages already running into the tens of thousands across the country, unions argue the law reads less like a technical funding fix and more like a policy detrimental to the future of the profession. Why Fewer Students in Nursing Courses Threatens Patient Care The ANA has warned that this change will impact patient outcomes as well as student finances. In a strongly worded letter, association President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy stated that excluding nursing will ‘severely restrict access to critical funding for graduate nursing education, undermining efforts to grow and sustain the nursing workforce. ‘ She argued that at a time of a ‘historic nurse shortage’, the move threatens the ‘very foundation of patient care’. Experts note this is particularly dangerous for rural and underserved communities. In many parts of the country, advanced practice registered nurses are the primary, and sometimes only, source of essential healthcare. By making it harder for these nurses to access the graduate-level training they need, the policy risks cutting off access to care for the most vulnerable populations, turning a student finance issue into a public health crisis. Campaigners fear it will deter talented students from entering a field that already demands long hours, intense emotional labour and exposure to trauma, citing research that links recognition and respect to retention in high-stress roles. As one health policy expert put it, the change is ‘a gut punch for nursing’, sending a message that the professionals who provide critical care are somehow less deserving of investment than lawyers or doctors.
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/trump-bill-strips-nursing-professional-status-puts-future-patient-care-risk-1757080
Tag Archives: education
Roanoke educator recalls students who broke racial barriers in 1960s
“Better late than never,” Dolores Johns said, emphasizing the importance of recognizing her students who played a significant role in integrating Roanoke’s retail stores during the 1960s.
She expressed that their courageous efforts should be acknowledged and remembered, highlighting their contribution to the progress within the community. Their actions helped pave the way for greater equality and inclusion in Roanoke’s retail sector, marking an important chapter in the city’s history.
https://roanoke.com/news/local/education/k-12/article_7cb490dd-ddc2-4a79-a177-be1b649c46ae.html
Best-performing zilla parishads, civic bodies in education to get incentives
**Maharashtra Announces Incentive Prizes for Excellence in Education Initiatives**
School Education Minister Shri Dadaji Bhuse announced on Friday that Zilla Parishads and Municipal Corporations excelling in promoting quality and innovative education initiatives in Maharashtra will be awarded incentive prizes. The awards include Rs 5 crore for first place, Rs 3 crore for second place, and Rs 2 crore for the third position.
The announcement was made during the inauguration of the two-day State-Level School Education Conference held in Balewadi, Pune. The event was attended by key officials including School Department Principal Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol, Education Commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh, Maharashtra Primary Education Council State Project Director Sanjay Yadav, State Educational Research and Training Council Director Rahul Rekhawar, State Examination Council Director Nandkumar Bedse, and other directors and education officers from across the state.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Bhuse emphasized that education must be enjoyable, of high quality, comprehensive, and rooted in national values. He urged the department to implement innovative initiatives to position Maharashtra as a leader in education. Highlighting the importance of artificial intelligence, technology integration, infrastructure development, and flagship schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Yojana, scholarship examinations, and the Nipun Bharat Abhiyan, Bhuse called for a holistic approach to education enhancement.
The minister further underscored the value of experiential learning through educational trips. He suggested organizing visits to historical sites, agricultural activities, and banks to enrich students’ learning experiences.
In addition, Bhuse announced the organization of an elocution competition commemorating the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Punyashloka Ahilyadevi Holkar, and a quiz contest marking the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda.
**Administrative Reforms and Scholarship Exams Resumption**
Announcing administrative reforms, the minister revealed that the existing 15 school-level committees will be consolidated into four committees to enhance operational efficiency. He also confirmed the resumption of scholarship examinations for Classes 4 and 7 starting from the next academic year.
Principal Secretary Ranjit Singh Deol stressed the importance of local self-government bodies prioritizing education and health. He urged municipal commissioners to ensure effective implementation of government initiatives at the grassroots level.
Education Commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh spoke about improving the quality of education, the implementation goals of the National Education Policy (NEP), targets set under the Nipun Bharat Abhiyan for 2027, and various ongoing school-level initiatives.
**Launch of Competition Guide and Conference Highlights**
During the ceremony, Minister Bhuse released the Teacher and Officer-Employee Competition Guide, which features 36 competitions and six Olympiads. The guide was prepared under the guidance of Rahul Rekhawar.
The conference included discussions on several critical topics such as the New Education Policy 2020, the PARAKH assessment survey report measuring learning outcomes, administrative reforms, and holistic education strategies.
Officials from different districts presented innovative educational practices implemented locally and were honored by the minister with mementos and books.
Additionally, administrative matters including Class 11 admissions, the Group School Scheme for inclusive education, the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) Plus database, and teacher recruitment approvals were deliberated.
Programs and schemes from the Maharashtra Primary Education Council, NEP 2020 action plans, competency-based question banks, e-Vidya educational channels, and yoga curriculum guides were also highlighted for effective execution.
**Upcoming Initiatives and Events**
Minister Bhuse directed schools across the state to organize annual gatherings, student sports competitions, and patriotic drills scheduled for January 26, 2026. He also announced an increase in prize money for science exhibitions, aiming to further encourage student participation and innovation.
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The State-Level School Education Conference marks a significant step toward elevating educational standards in Maharashtra through strategic reforms, incentivizing innovation, and fostering community involvement in education.
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/maharashtra-announces-incentives-for-best-performing-zilla-parishads-municipal-corporations-in-education-23594869