As we gather with friends and family this season, we reflect on the many blessings we have received and the invaluable support we’ve shared within our community.
This Thanksgiving, we are especially grateful for all the dedicated nurses who embody the spirit of compassion and care. Your unwavering commitment to serving others inspires us every day, and we appreciate your hard work and sacrifices.
Let us take a moment to express our gratitude to our healthcare heroes, the families who support them, and everyone who contributes to our mission of promoting health and wellness in our communities. Together, we continue to make a positive impact, uplifting one another in times of need.
May your hearts and homes be filled with joy, warmth, and the love of family and friends.
From all of us at the Philippine Nurses Association of America Foundation, we wish you a wonderful and meaningful Thanksgiving!
PNAAF NEWS & UPDATES
JOINT STATEMENT: NURSING ORGANIZATIONS OF COLOR RESPOND TO PROPOSED FEDERAL LIMITATION OF STUDENT LOAN ACCESS FOR NURSING
Our organizations, representing professional nurses of color across the United States, stand with the American Nurses Association, Institute for Health and Social Equity, Nursing Community Coalition, and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in expressing deep concern over the Department of Education's proposed redefinition of "professional degree" programs that excludes nursing from federal loan eligibility. This policy will create significant barriers to advanced nursing education at a critical time for our nation's healthcare workforce.
Nurses of color already carry disproportionately higher student loan debt than their white counterparts. Excluding Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and nursing PhD programs from professional degree classification will create insurmountable financial obstacles for aspiring nurse leaders of color who are essential to providing care in medically underserved communities. This threatens the pathway of nursing faculty, nurse practitioners, and nurse scientists of color at a time when workforce diversity has never been more critical to improving patient outcomes and healthcare access.
The Department's proposed framework requires that professional degree programs signify completion of academic requirements for beginning practice, represent professional skill beyond a bachelor's degree, require professional licensure, and be doctoral-level programs. Advanced practice registered nurse programs meet every criterion stated in the department's framework. Graduates of these programs are independent providers, healthcare systems leaders, researchers, and educators who require professional licensure and provide direct patient care.
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Post-baccalaureate nursing education is rigorous and essential to our nation's healthcare needs. In many rural, tribal, and underserved communities, advanced practice nurses—including nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists—are often the only accessible healthcare providers. Their exclusion based solely on Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code classification contradicts the Department's own stated criteria.
Healthcare workforce diversity directly improves patient outcomes, increases access to care in underserved areas, and reduces health disparities. Nurses of color are more likely to practice in medically underserved communities and provide care to patients from similar backgrounds. Restricting loan access for advanced nursing education will diminish the pipeline of diverse providers serving the communities that need them most and perpetuate existing health equity gaps.
We urge the Department of Education to:
Revise the proposed definition to explicitly include post-baccalaureate advanced nursing education programs as professional degree programs.
Engage meaningfully with nursing stakeholders, especially organizations representing nurses of color, before finalizing this rule.
Recognize the professional status of nursing as commensurate with other health professions.
Nurses represent the largest segment of the healthcare workforce and the health of our nation depends on assuring that we continue to educate a robust, diverse nursing workforce. We stand ready to work collaboratively to ensure federal policy supports the healthcare workforce our nation requires to care for all citizens with dignity, respect, and compassion as codified in the nursing code of ethics.
About Us
This statement reflects the shared commitment of professional organizations representing over one million racially and ethnically diverse nurses across the United States, including:
Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing
Alliance of Cosmetic Nurse Practitioners™
Asian American Pacific Islander Nurses Association
Association of Black Nursing Faculty
Black Nurse Collaborative
Black Nurses Week
Black PhD Nurse Scientists
Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.®
Deborah Stamps Consulting, LLC
DLJames Consulting
Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program
DNPs of Color
Ghanaian Diaspora Nursing Alliance
The International Association of Latino Nurse Faculty/Nurse Leaders
Multicultural CRNA Conference Organization
National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association
National Association of Hispanic Nurses
National Black Nurse Practitioner Association
National Black Nurses Association
Network of Black Male Nurse Leaders
Philippine Nurses Association of America
Society of Latinx Nurses
The Institute for Health and Social Equity, Inc.
The Melanin Initiative Podcast
The Society of PMHNPs of Color
The Spirit of Giving Fundraising Event
Join us for the PNAAF Fundraising event to benefit the Medical-Surgical Mission in General Santos City, Philippines on January 2025.
The purpose of the Fellowship Award is to support a deserving PNAA member in funding a health/nursing research activity or related scholarly project that has implication in nursing.
The purpose of the Nursing Scholarship Award is to provide opportunity and support to deserving PNAA members pursuing a master’s degree or Doctoral Degree in Nursing.
PNAA Foundation Holds a Successful Mini-Medical-Surgical Mission Team Training
The PNAAF leadership committee organized a mini-training on preparing and conducting a Medical-Surgical Mission. The goal is for the members to have an awareness and gain a practical knowledge and basic skills in participating as a volunteer in a medical-surgical mission.
Find out more information about our KEWP events by downloading this flyer.
By attending this session, "We can develop our Coping Strategies by practicing non-reactivity, and protecting ourselves and others." Participants are instructed to Attend and complete the KEWP sessions.
We will hold the ceremonial unveiling of the Merlita A. Velasquez Executive Board Room plaque. It's a wonderful opportunity for colleagues, friends, and well-wishers to gather and express their gratitude for Merlita's outstanding contributions.
National AA NHPI COVID-19 Health Response Partnership
Join us to learn more about the importance of diverse participation in clinical trials. Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum has invited representatives...
PNAA Foundation Gabi ng Parangal - Honoring our Global Nurses
Nomination is now open for GNP. Honoring our Global Nurses is a prestigious award that recognizes the exceptional contributions of Filipino nurses who have made a significant impact on global healthcare. Application deadline is on September 30, 2025.
PNAAF GABI NG PAGPUPUGAY - Honoring our Global Nurses Application form
SCAN THE QR CODE TO REGISTER
2025 PNAAF 5K Wellness Challenge
Virtual run/walk registration is open from April 1, 2024 - May 25, 2024 to secure your 5K shirts. A certificate of recognition will be awarded for these categories: Best Community Group Photo, Best Chapter Group Photo, and Most Chapter. Participation Registration ends July 19, 2025, at 9:00am EDT.
Filipino Nurses Global Summit VI and 15th International Nursing Conference
The event, themed Beyond Borders: Filipino Nurses' Impact & Influence in Global Health Transformation, is presented by the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA), Philippine Nurses Association, Inc., and the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing Commission on Filipinos Overseas.
To commemorate their selfless and heroic services, the PNAA Foundation is launching the “Bayani ng Mundo, Honoring our Nurse Heroes” Special Campaign to pay tribute to our members and others for their commitment and dedication to their chosen profession.
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