The Future of Healthcare: A Shifting Reality for Nursing Programs and the Workforce

As we close out 2025, the healthcare industry continues to face significant disruption, and a major change driven by the “Big Beautiful Bill” is reshaping both education and workforce development. One of the most impactful components of this legislation is its redefinition of what qualifies as a “Professional Degree” under U.S. Department of Education standards. As a result, many nursing programs, including graduate nursing, nurse practitioner, and advanced-practice RN programs will no longer be recognized as professional degrees.

With this new classification, graduate nursing students will face stricter limitations on federal student loans, both annual and lifetime. The “Grad PLUS” program, which has historically been a critical funding source for nursing students, is either being eliminated or substantially restricted.

This creates several barriers:

• Graduate students may not have access to the financial resources they need to complete required advanced degrees.
• Fewer students will pursue nursing as the cost burden becomes too high.
• Entry-level and advanced-practice roles that require graduate credentials may see slower pipelines and higher vacancy rates.

The result is a direct threat to the future supply of:

• Nurse practitioners
• Specialized nurses
• Nurse educators
• Advanced-practice and leadership roles

These are the very roles already facing the most critical shortages.

Florida had already implemented aggressive accountability measures for nursing programs before this federal change. Schools performing below state standards can be placed on probation or shut down. Private and for-profit nursing institutions are especially vulnerable, and several have already been closed or flagged.

With the new federal restrictions layered on top of state oversight, the number of viable nursing programs may continue to decline. This reduces access to education and further limits the workforce pipeline.

As fewer students enter and complete nursing programs, the existing workforce shortage will worsen. Healthcare facilities, especially hospitals and long-term care organizations, may experience:

• Increased staffing gaps
• Higher workloads for existing nurses
• Longer wait times and reduced access to services
• Declining patient care quality

Even though the “Big Beautiful Bill” does not directly regulate nursing programs, its financial impact creates a ripple effect across the entire healthcare system.

This legislation has the potential to reshape healthcare delivery and access in the years ahead by affecting:

• The pipeline of new advanced-practice nurses
• The financial sustainability of nursing schools
• Workforce stability for healthcare employers
• Long-term clinical staffing capacity

The concern is not just fewer nursing applicants, but fewer qualified professionals prepared for the most demanding roles in healthcare.

Preparation is key with any changes. With funding limitations and professional-degree classifications changing, educational institutions and healthcare employers should begin adapting now:

• Review admissions and enrollment strategies to identify programs most affected.
• Build new partnerships with hospitals, clinics, or private funders to support clinical placements.
• Evaluate accreditation, training, and credentialing requirements, which may look different under new regulations.
• Strengthen screening and compliance infrastructure so credential verification isn’t slowed down by financial or enrollment disruptions.
• Prepare for faculty and staffing shortages, especially in NP and APRN roles.

Proficiency Background Services continues to support nursing schools and healthcare organizations through this period of change by providing screening solutions specifically built for the compliance demands of the medical sector. Our platform eliminates uncertainty in the vetting process by offering accurate, secure, and fully compliant background checks that protect student pipelines, clinical partnerships, and staff onboarding.

As educational requirements shift and the healthcare workforce evolves, having the right screening partner becomes essential. Nursing schools and healthcare employers will need stronger enrollment and credential workflows to ensure student eligibility, clinical placement approval, and licensure compliance. That is where Proficiency Background Services delivers the most value:

• Full compliance with federal, state, and industry regulations, including Level 1 and Level 2 screening requirements.
• Verification tools designed for healthcare settings, such as credential checks, enrollment screening, and identity authentication.
• Faster and more accurate onboarding, reducing delays for students, faculty, and clinical staff.
• A secure tracking system that keeps institutions audit-ready, even as laws change.
• Human support and healthcare expertise, not just software.

Our solutions don’t simply run background checks, they help institutions protect their workforce pipeline and maintain continuous compliance. As legislation and workforce requirements change, background screening and credential verification become more than just a step in the process, they become a safeguard for patient safety, academic quality, and clinical staffing.

Proficiency Background Services is committed to being a reliable partner that understands the healthcare industry and delivers the right screening tools to help organizations stay compliant, competitive, and prepared for the future of nursing and healthcare staffing.