Judge temporarily halts part of federal student loan rule A federal judge has blocked part of a rule limiting federal student loans for graduate students, just days before the policy is to take effect. The rule caps most graduate student loans at $20,500 annually, but students in degree programs deemed "professional" by the federal government can borrow up to $50,000. The new ruling pauses the new definition of a "professional degree," but it does not block the loan limits. More than 500 nurses gathered in the halls of Congress yesterday for the American Nurses Association's Hill Day to urge Congress to reverse the rule and to pass legislation establishing nursing as a federally recognized professional degree.   Full Story: The Associated Press (6/25), CNBC (6/25), Nurse (6/25)

ANA is now accepting nominations for appointed positions across its structural units and standing committees, including the ANA-PAC Board of Trustees, Center for Ethics and Human Rights Advisory Board, Committee on Bylaws, Committee on Nursing Practice Standards, Minority Fellowship Program National Advisory Committee, and the Professional Policy Committee. Terms begin January 1, 2027.

These leadership roles offer members a meaningful opportunity to advance ANA's mission, strengthen governance, and help shape the future of nursing. Interested ANA members are encouraged to review the position profiles and submit a nomination through the official portal.

Deadline: 11:59 pm ET, Monday, July 6, 2026

Questions: aneappointments@ana.org

The Department of Education (ED) released May 1 the final rule implementing the federal graduate loan borrowing limits set by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). This rulemaking sets definitions for which graduate degree programs qualify as professional and graduate in determining what loan limits a student is eligible for-$50,000 annually and $200,000 in aggregate for professional programs and $20,500 annually and $100,000 in aggregate for graduate programs. This final rule implements definitions as set out in the proposed rule, published earlier this year, which excludes post-baccalaureate nursing programs from the professional degree limits. The American Nurses Association (ANA) strongly urged ED to recognize post-baccalaureate nursing programs as professional in our comment letter on the proposed rule, outlining the need for federal resources to ensure the next generation of nurse clinicians have the education and training to meet the changing needs of our healthcare delivery system.

ANA issued a statement expressing deep concern and disappointment with the provisions of the final rule, urging President Trump and Congress to fix this misguided approach to implementing the graduate borrowing limits. ANA is also determining what additional advocacy approach to pursue to ensure that nurses have access to the financial resources needed for advanced nursing degrees.

Click here for flyer to register. You can click on the links or scan the QR codes to register. This webinar is online via Zoom and offer FREE continuing education contact hours (1.0).

The American Nurses Enterprise (ANE) has released new findings from the INVEST Study showing that strategic investment in nursing can generate positive financial returns for hospitals. The national study found that organizations treating nurses as long-term human capital assets, not just labor costs, are better positioned to deliver high-quality care while strengthening financial performance. Data from 45 hospitals representing more than 80,000 nurses revealed a clear link between nursing investments, improved care delivery, and operating margins. These findings reinforce that sustained investment in nurse safety, well-being, and work environments supports both organizational stability and long-term success.

Read more here.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is deeply saddened by the passing of Jacqueline M. Fawcett, PhD, RN, FAAN, an important figure in nursing scholarship and one of the most consequential voices in the intellectual history of nursing.

"Dr. Fawcett dedicated her life to building the intellectual foundations of our profession, and the contributions she made to nursing will endure for generations,” said ANA President Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. " Read more about Dr. Fawcett’s life and legacy.

The Department of Education is proposing new limits on federal graduate student loans as part of H.R. 1 implementation. These changes could impact nurses pursuing advanced education.

Now is the time to speak up. Public comments become part of the official record and help shape the final rule.

Submit your comment by March 2 here.

Your voice matters—protect access to advanced nursing education.

We're looking for ANAMASS members interested in being either a mentor  or  mentee to join this dynamic program:

Mentors: Share your expertise, guide the next generation, and make a lasting impact.
Mentees: Gain personalized guidance, expand your network, and accelerate your career growth.

What's in it for you?

• Personalized guidance to accelerate your career growth
• Lasting professional relationships and an expanded network
• Proven strategies from experienced nurse leaders
• Position yourself for leadership opportunities and professional success

Whether you're ready to mentor, eager to learn, or both - this is your moment.

Enrollment ends January 31, 2026.
Learn more and enroll today!

ANA Mentoring Program: https://mentorship.nursingworld.org/

After a successful petition campaign with more than 236,000 signatures to protest the proposed caps on federal student loans for post-baccalaureate nurses, the American Nurses Association (ANA) officially launched our grassroots efforts by asking nurses to logon to RNAction.org and write to their members of Congress. So far, supporters of this effort have made more than 1,330 phone calls and sent more than 14,900 letters to members of Congress. In addition, nurses have submitted 710 stories on how these caps would affect the nursing professions and the workforce pipeline if they were to take effect.

DPH Commissioner rebukes misleading assertions about vaccines and autism

11/20/2025

Boston — Vaccines do not cause autism, and there is no link between childhood vaccines and autism. This has been proven repeatedly through decades of rigorous, high-quality research involving millions of children worldwide. The evidence is clear, consistent, and overwhelming.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) rejects the assertion posted Nov. 19, 2025, on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website which suggests that the statement “vaccines do not cause autism” is not evidence-based or that studies have failed to rule out a connection between childhood vaccines and autism. Such claims are factually incorrect and deliberately misleading. They contradict the global scientific consensus and undermine public confidence in vaccines. Vaccines are one of the most effective and life-saving interventions in the history of medicine and public health.

For an official federal website to include such misinformation is deeply troubling and even dangerous. It fuels misinformation and leads to misplaced doubt that puts children, families, and communities at risk for serious illness. These claims reflect ideology, not evidence.

DPH is committed to providing the public with accurate, science-based information. We continue to monitor emerging research, consult with leading experts, and update our guidance as new high-quality evidence becomes available. And we will continue to push back forcefully against misinformation and disinformation that threaten the health and safety of the people of Massachusetts — especially when it appears on official federal platforms. We are currently reviewing our website and are removing links to CDC content that contains or amplifies such false and misleading claims.

—Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD

On October 13, 2025, the American Nurses Association (ANA) proudly celebrated a historic victory for nurses and patients alike: for the first time ever, nurse staffing has been elevated within The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals, now renamed the National Performance Goals.

This milestone marks the culmination of years of tireless advocacy, collaboration, and leadership by ANA and its partners, who worked to elevate safe staffing as a core component of patient safety and care quality.

Read more here.

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