H.R. 8691: Nursing is a Professional Degree Act

This bill, known as the Nursing is a Professional Degree Act, seeks to make changes to the definition of a "professional student" in the context of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The primary changes proposed in the bill include:

Definition of Professional Degree

The bill amends an existing clause in the Higher Education Act to explicitly include nursing as a professional degree. It specifies that a professional degree is one that:

• Signifies completion of the academic requirements needed to begin practice in a specified profession, typically requiring professional licensure.
• Denotes a level of professional skill beyond that which is typically required for a bachelor’s degree.

Inclusion of Nursing

Specifically, the bill lists nursing degrees (such as Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (DNAP), or a Ph.D. in nursing) as included under the definition of professional degrees. This formal acknowledgment aims to elevate the status of nursing education within federal regulations.

Impact on Education and Funding

By categorizing nursing as a professional degree, the bill may have implications for educational funding and student loan eligibility under federal programs. It could affect how nursing programs are perceived in terms of accreditation, scholarships, and funding for students pursuing these degrees.

Other Included Professional Degrees

The bill also reaffirms the inclusion of various other degrees as professional degrees, including:

• Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
• Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.)
• Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
• Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.)
• Law (L.L.B. or J.D.)
• Medicine (M.D.)
• Optometry (O.D.)
• Osteopathic Medicine/Osteopathy (D.O.)
• Podiatric Medicine/Podiatry (D.P.M., D.P., or Pod.D.)
• Theology/Theological Studies (M.Div. or M.H.L.)
• Clinical Psychology (Psy.D. or Ph.D.)

Overall Goals

The overarching goal of this bill is to secure and enhance the professional recognition of nursing as a critical and skilled profession, thereby potentially improving educational opportunities, resources, and support for nursing students.

Relevant Companies

• UNH: UnitedHealth Group may be affected as they engage in healthcare education and nursing partnerships.
• HCA: HCA Healthcare may feel the impact through changes in nursing recruitment and educational standards.