Supporting Advanced Nursing Education and Workforce Preparedness

Fifty-seven US organizations representing the Nursing Community Coalition (NCC) signed a letter of support for Advanced Practice Nursing professionals in response to the US Department of Education’s recently proposed change that would exclude postbaccalaureate nursing programs from the official regulatory definition of a "professional degree program." This proposal has significant implications for US cardiothoracic nursing professionals and the broader US healthcare system. 

If this proposal is finalized, funding for nursing education could be severely limited, and it would likely exacerbate the existing US healthcare crisis by diminishing the pipeline of highly trained nursing professionals. Ultimately, this would reduce access to quality care for patients across the United States. The strength of cardiothoracic patient care relies on a highly trained, multidisciplinary workforce. 

Supporting access to advanced nursing education ultimately strengthens patient outcomes, improves continuity of care, and reinforces a healthcare system equipped to meet current and future needs.

Nursing Community Coalition Letter 

Editor’s Note 

CTSNet recognizes the valuable contributions that highly trained and skilled nursing professionals make to the cardiothoracic surgery community and beyond. 

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