Wagner Statement on the Department of Education’s Misguided Announcement to Classify Graduate Nursing Degrees on a Lower Level

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after the Department of Education announced it will be classifying graduate nursing degrees on a lower level than other medical degrees in the federal student loan system:

“Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system and we rely on them to help provide quality patient care at a time when many are at their most vulnerable. I strongly disagree with the Department of Education’s recent changes classifying graduate nursing degrees on a lower footing than other medical degrees and will be making it clear to the Administration that these changes are unacceptable and should be immediately reversed. 

“Education costs are through the roof. We all agree that loan caps for many graduate degrees are a vital method to reform the federal student loan system and rein in inflated tuitions, but they should be appropriately implemented for specific graduate degrees that make sense.  Nurses should be on level footing with other medical degrees, not on a lower level. 

“Nurses are often the first point of contact for patients in need of care, and they keep our medical system running day in and day out. We should be recognizing the absolutely critical role nurses play in the medical field and incentivizing them to pursue opportunities to advance their careers.”