The resolution urges the U.S. Department of Education to include nursing degree programs in the list of professional degree programs eligible for higher federal student loan limits. Currently, proposed changes to federal student loan regulations would exclude nursing programs from this designation, resulting in significantly lower borrowing limits for nursing students. This is particularly concerning given the ongoing nursing shortage in the United States, which is projected to worsen, especially in New Jersey, where a shortage of over 24,000 nurses is anticipated by 2036.

The resolution highlights the critical role that nursing professionals play in patient care and the healthcare system, emphasizing that limiting access to student loans for nursing education could jeopardize the quality of care at a time when the healthcare environment is already under strain. By urging the Department of Education to revise the definition of professional degree programs to include nursing, the resolution aims to ensure that nursing students have adequate financial resources to pursue their education and meet the growing demand for healthcare services.