Rep. Kiggans Challenges Professional Degree Definition

Representative Jen Kiggans and Senator Jeff Merkley are leading a bipartisan effort to revise the federal definition of a professional degree to ensure nursing professionals receive appropriate support and recognition within the healthcare workforce.

The initiative focuses on the regulatory classification of nursing credentials, which determines eligibility for specific federal resources, financial incentives, and loan programs. The lawmakers argue that the current definitions fail to accurately reflect the educational requirements and professional standing of modern nursing practices.

Legislative Action on Degree Classification

In December 2025, Rep. Kiggans sent a second letter to federal officials to address the discrepancies in how nursing degrees are categorized. This communication followed an initial inquiry aimed at clarifying why certain nursing qualifications remain excluded from the formal definition of a professional degree.

The classification of a degree as professional is not merely a matter of title but carries significant business and financial implications for practitioners. In the federal system, this designation often dictates the ceiling for graduate loan borrowing, the availability of specific grants, and the criteria for professional reimbursement rates.

By challenging the current definition, Kiggans and Merkley seek to align nursing credentials with other recognized professional degrees, such as those in law or medicine, thereby reducing the financial burden on nurses pursuing advanced education.

Impact on the Healthcare Labor Market

The push for reclassification comes amid ongoing challenges in the healthcare sector regarding workforce retention and recruitment. The financial barriers associated with obtaining advanced nursing degrees are cited as a primary deterrent for nurses seeking to specialize or move into leadership roles.

Healthcare administrators and policymakers have noted that the lack of a standardized professional designation can hinder the ability of nursing professionals to access the same level of federal financial support as their counterparts in other clinical fields. This disparity impacts the economic viability of advanced nursing paths, including the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

The bipartisan collaboration between Rep. Kiggans, a representative from Virginia, and Sen. Merkley, a senator from Oregon, indicates a broad geographic and political consensus on the need to stabilize the nursing pipeline through regulatory reform.

Regulatory and Financial Implications

If the federal government adopts a broader definition of a professional degree, the immediate impact would likely be seen in the Department of Education’s loan processing and the Department of Health and Human Services’ workforce incentive programs.

• Increased access to higher loan limits for nurses pursuing advanced degrees.
• Potential for expanded eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs.
• Better alignment of professional credentials with federal reimbursement structures.

The effort seeks to eliminate what lawmakers describe as an outdated framework that does not account for the evolving role of nurses in the primary care and specialized healthcare delivery systems.

The current trajectory of the effort depends on the response from the federal agencies addressed in the December 2025 correspondence. The lawmakers continue to advocate for a definition that recognizes the rigorous academic and clinical training required for professional nursing licensure and advanced practice.