Arizona is facing a healthcare workforce crisis. As our population grows, the demand for skilled nurses, physicians, and allied health professionals continues to rise. Yet at a time when we should be expanding educational pathways into healthcare, new federal loan policies threaten to push aspiring professionals out of the pipeline entirely.

 

Under the U.S. Department of Education’s updated rules, graduate nursing programs will no longer be classified as professional degrees as of July 1, 2026. Previously, students in recognized professional programs could borrow up to $50,000 per year, with a lifetime cap of $200,000. Now, graduate nursing students are limited to $20,500 annually and $100,000 over a lifetime, a 59% reduction per year and a 50% reduction over a lifetime.  According to Nurse.org, the elimination of Grad PLUS loans for new borrowers removes the last flexible financing option for tuition, books, and hundreds of hours of required clinical training.

 

This is more than a financial issue it is a direct threat to Arizona’s healthcare infrastructure. Hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities rely heavily on advanced practice nurses, particularly in primary care, behavioral health, geriatrics, emergency medicine, and rural communities already facing severe access challenges. These professionals require high-cost, intensive clinical training that cannot be completed under the new loan limits. Without adequate financing, many students may have to pause their education, take on multiple jobs, or abandon their training altogether.

 

Arizona’s nursing shortage is already severe. Vacancy across some health systems cite a shortfall of 28,000 nurses in 2025 and projections show the state could face a shortfall of thousands of nurses by the end of the decade. Limiting access to graduate education will only widen this gap, exacerbating staffing shortages, increasing burnout among existing staff, and placing greater strain on hospitals and clinics.

 

The consequences extend beyond healthcare providers. Patients will feel the impact first. Reduced enrollment in nursing programs means fewer nurse practitioners, clinical specialists, and educators’ roles that are essential for sustaining hospitals, behavioral health centers, and primary care practices. Longer wait times, reduced appointment availability, and diminished patient safety will be the direct result. Rural and underserved communities, already struggling with provider shortages, will face the greatest risks. Health disparities will widen, and families may have to travel farther or wait longer for care.

 

Physicians understand this reality better than anyone. A strong, well-supported nursing workforce is essential to physician practice sustainability, care coordination, patient safety, and reducing system-wide burnout. You cannot maintain a stable physician workforce without strong nursing teams alongside them.

 

Maricopa County Medical Society stands with the Arizona Nursing Association in urging policymakers to reconsider these changes. Restoring graduate nursing programs to their prior professional classification, including access to Grad PLUS loans, is critical. Supporting these programs is not just about student success, it is about protecting patients, sustaining healthcare facilities, and ensuring communities across Arizona have reliable access to care.

 

Arizona cannot afford to lose future generations of nurses or hinder their ability to train effectively. Students should not be forced to choose between delaying education, taking on high-interest private debt, or abandoning the profession entirely. By investing in graduate nursing programs, we invest in the health and safety of every Arizonan.

 

Policymakers must recognize that the health of Arizona’s communities depends on a strong, well-supported healthcare workforce. The choices made today will determine the strength of our healthcare system for decades. Without immediate action, hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities will continue to struggle to meet patient demand, and Arizonans will experience longer waits, reduced access, and compromised care.

 

If we want a healthier future for Arizona, we must ensure those called to serve in healthcare can afford to get there. Supporting graduate nursing education is not optional, it is just as essential to the survival and stability of our healthcare system as funding for physician Graduate Medical Education programs. Arizona’s nursing students deserve access to affordable education, and our patients deserve a healthcare system equipped to meet their needs.

 

The Department of Education’s new loan limits threaten not only the careers of aspiring nurses but also the well-being of patients, the stability of healthcare institutions, and the quality of care across our state. We urge federal and state leaders to act now, restore professional-level loan eligibility, and ensure financial barriers do not prevent the next generation of nurses from entering the workforce.