It's An ED RN
I've been an RN since 2011; I've worked in med/surg, ICU, as a nurse manager, then back to bedside in the Emergency Department (which is when I started this show), until recently when I left the hospital to teach nursing at a University. No matter where you are in your nursing career, there's something here for you. I'm your host, an ED RN and I hope you'll stick around to listen.
It's An ED RN
An ED RN Is A Motherfucking Professional
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On today’s episode we’re going to talk about the Department of Education degree designations, particularly its assertion that graduate Nursing degrees are not considered Professional. What does this mean for us as nurses, what do our nursing associations have to say about it, and why can’t I get one goddamn moment of peace in this world fml.
Action Items:
Call congress. (202) 224-3121 for the U.S. House switchboard operator or go to congress.gov
- Send email, letters, or comment directly:
- https://www.merkley.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Final-Letter-to-Under-Secretary-Kent-on-Nursing-Loans.pdf
- Or Comment directly: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/ED-2025-OPE-0944-0001
- Remember not to sweat what this admin thinks because they literally stole food from children (and honestly, it's the least terrible thing they've done to children): https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/15/politics/justice-jackson-snap-fight
Sources:
Old-timey law they're basing this on: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/subtitle-B/chapter-VI/part-668/subpart-A/section-668.2
New-timey law they're trying to push: https://www.newsweek.com/nursing-not-professional-degree-trump-admin-11079650
What the ANA thinks about it: https://www.nursingworld.org/news/news-releases/2025/statement-from-the-american-nurses-association-on-proposed-federal-loan-policy-changes/
What the AACN thinks about it: https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/article/aacn-alarmed-over-department-of-educations-proposed-limitation-of-student-loan-access-for-nursing
What the AANP thinks about it: https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/national-nurse-practitioner-organizations-express-concern-over-department-of-education-negotiated-rulemaking
Even some MDs get it, like these: https://www.careproviders.org/CPM/CPM/ACTION/Vol40/Ed46/ZP05.aspx and https://nyam.org/article/response-to-stripping-professional-status-as-proposed-by-the-department-of-education/
Even though most MD orgs are busy trying to limit ARNP scope: https://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=65853
And here's some MDs in the comment section getting absolutely schooled by NPs: https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB3794/2025
Latest demographics on the nursing workforce that I could find: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/data-research/access-data-tools/national-sample-survey-registered-nurses
Also, never forget, male nurses make more than female nurses simply because they are male: https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/nchwa/nursing-workforce-dashboard
Medication abortion is still legal in all 50 states:
Protect Trans Kids 🏳️⚧️
I have an Etsy shop. It’s spreadsheets.
Thank you for listening and have a safe shift