CANA Welcomes Federal Action Restoring Higher Student Loan Limits for Advanced Nursing Students
(Sacramento, CA)—Today, Kristen Roman, DNAP, CRNA, President of the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (CANA), issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s interim guidance recognizing eligible graduate nursing programs as professional degree programs for federal student loan purposes:
“We appreciate the Department of Education’s decision to recognize advanced nursing education as a professional degree pathway and restore access to higher federal student loan limits for eligible graduate nursing students. This important step helps reduce financial barriers for future Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and other advanced practice nurses as they complete the rigorous education and clinical training required to meet our nation’s growing health care needs. It also provides much needed clarity and stability for students and institutions while this litigation continues.
“We thank the Department for acknowledging the professional nature of advanced nursing education and encourage it to make this policy permanent. Providing reliable access to federal student loan support for advanced nursing students is critical to preparing the next generation of highly skilled providers, strengthening the health care workforce and ensuring patients in California and across the county continue to receive high-quality care.”
Read CANA’s prior statements on this issue here and here.
About California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (CANA)
CANA represents CRNAs across the state. Since 1931, CANA has provided leadership, advocacy, and education to advance patient safety and support the nurse anesthesia profession. Learn more at www.canainc.org.
