Several media outlets this week have reported on the US administration proposing to exclude nursing from its list of "professional degrees" as part of a review of education programmes. The decision will restrict access to student loans and leave many prospective students unable to pursue a career in the profession.

Responding to the reports, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said: “I worked as a nurse in the US for almost five years and know how valued the profession is. We are a global profession and an attack on one is an attack on all. This will not go unnoticed as we stand side-by-side in solidarity with our colleagues in the USA. We know this is the wrong approach and will always defend those who sit at the heart of every health and care system. It is time our political leaders did the same.

“Nursing is a highly skilled, degree-educated profession that is critical to patient safety and central to protecting public health. The US administration’s declassification of nursing as a ‘professional degree’ is a saddening decision that degrades and devalues those who dedicate themselves to their patients. There can be little doubt this is down to nursing being a female-dominated profession.

“Nursing is an incredible career and must be protected from action that will discourage people from joining and leave the future of patient care at risk. At a time when there is a global shortage of nurses we expect our leaders to be doing everything possible to encourage more into the profession rather than treating them with contempt.”