Are Nursing Degrees Still Professional Degrees? What Trump's H.R. 1 Actually Changes

The headlines say nursing degrees aren't professional anymore. That's not what H.R. 1 actually does—but what it does do affects every nurse practitioner building a cosmetic or dermatology practice.

We've partnered with The Alliance of Cosmetic Nurse Practitioners™ once again to break down what's really happening—and more importantly, how to lead through it.

What H.R. 1 Actually Changes: • Student loan classifications for DNP and PhD programs (NOT your professional status) • $100,000-$200,000 federal borrowing caps starting July 2026 • Elimination of Grad PLUS loans and income-driven repayment options • Economic hardship deferments gone for new loans after July 2027 • Medicaid coverage instability = more late-stage keloids, CCCA, and skin cancer presentations • Shrinking provider reimbursement rates in underserved communities

Why This Matters for Your Practice:

For NPs working in dermatology, aesthetics, and serving communities of color, these aren't abstract policy changes. They're signals about where gaps in care will widen—and where founder-level practitioners who understand how to serve patients regardless of payer mix will be essential.

What We Cover in This Episode:

✓ The dual crisis: Unstable patient access + the student loan financial crisis for doctorally-prepared nurses

✓ Why your DNP or PhD doesn't automatically pay more—and why negotiation is now survival, not optional

✓ How to articulate your doctoral value: Systems-level thinking, implementation science, quality improvement methodology, and business acumen that MBAs charge for

✓ What's actually negotiable: Compensation, benefits, time flexibility, professional development, job structure, exit terms (almost everything)

✓ Strategic negotiation scripts for employment, consulting, speaking, and academic positions

✓ The transparency piece: Why salary secrecy only benefits employers and how to negotiate for collective strength

✓ H.R. 1 strategic response: Leveraging employer student loan repayment (now permanent at $5,250/year tax-free), building multiple revenue streams during training, and factoring debt strategically

✓ Six pathways to lead: Research & publication, curriculum development, media & thought leadership, community outreach, global partnerships, and entrepreneurship

✓ The public comment period: There's still time to influence how these regulations are written

This is your exclusive look inside The Alliance of Cosmetic Nurse Practitioners™

Join The Alliance of Cosmetic Nurse Practitioners™: A professional coaching and mentorship community for nurse practitioners who specialize in cosmetics and entrepreneurship, and the home of the first Alopecia Residency in nursing. Learn more: https://www.cosmeticnp.org/

Disclaimer: This podcast is an AI-generated conversation for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your qualified health provider to ensure you have the right diagnosis and treatment plan.

Stay Connected with The Melanin Initiative Podcast:

✨ Mahogany Dermatology Nursing Bookstore: https://www.cosmeticnp.org/mahogany-dermatology-bookstore

✨ https://tmi-melanin.my.canva.site/tmi

✨ Email Us: tmi.melanin@gmail.com

✨ Increase your Health Literacy IQ: Caring For Us: www.caring4us.org