Nurses Left Out? US Gov’t Slammed for Excluding Nursing From ‘Professional Degrees’
NURSING – The US government has ignited intense debate after releasing a new list of “professional degrees” that surprisingly leaves out nursing.
The administration of United States (US) President Donald Trump has introduced a revised definition of what constitutes a “professional degree,” a move that has stirred debate among academic and professional institutions. According to a recent report from USA Today, the US Department of Education released an updated list outlining recognized professional degrees, leaving out several established fields—including nursing.
The newly released categorization highlights specific degrees officially acknowledged as professional programs. However, the exclusion of nursing and other disciplines has raised concern among organizations advocating for a more inclusive and accurate representation of professions critical to the workforce.
The list identifies the following sample degrees as “professional”:
- 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 (D.O.)
- Podiatry (D.P.M., D.P., or Pod.D.)
- Theology (M.Div. or M.H.L.)
In response to the updated definition, the American Council on Education submitted a letter to the Office of Postsecondary Education on August 28. The council urged the government to expand the classification by recognizing additional fields such as nursing, accounting, architecture, occupational therapy, physical therapy, special education, public health, and social work. These disciplines, the organization emphasized, require rigorous training and play essential roles across various sectors.
The American Nurses Association also voiced its concern over the exclusion, stressing that nursing is a vital profession that demands advanced education, licensure, and specialized competencies. Many Filipino nurses, including thousands of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) working in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings in the US, may feel the impact of this categorization, as professional recognition often influences career prospects, status, and policy considerations.
This development comes amid ongoing criticism of President Trump’s immigration and deportation policies. With many healthcare workers, including nurses, coming from migrant communities, the decision has added to broader discussions concerning the value and treatment of foreign and minority professionals in the US labor force.
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