May 25, 2026

Dear Colleagues, 

This Memorial Day, we join all Americans in honoring the sacrifices of those who gave their lives in service to our nation. 

We also reflect with pride and gratitude on the courage and humanity our profession has shown since its beginnings on the battlefields of the Civil War. Few know the costs of war better and feel the meaning of this day more deeply than those who care for soldiers on the front lines and in combat and VA hospitals. 

Since World War I and through the wars and conflicts that followed, CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists have provided much of the anesthesia care for active-duty military personnel in combat settings and continue to predominate in veterans hospitals and throughout the U.S. Armed Services.  

During the Vietnam War, we lost two of our own: 1LT Jerome Olmsted and 1LT Kenneth Shoemaker, Jr. Olmsted and Shoemaker were killed in a plane crash on November 30, 1967, while transporting wounded soldiers.  

At 3 p.m. local time, consider taking part in the National Moment of Remembrance to honor them and all of the fallen.  

Thank you to all our military and veteran colleagues for your service. 

To all our members, thank you for all that you do. Have a safe and happy summer. 

Update on Student Loan Classification Issue

As many of you may have seen in the headlines last week, AACN, AANP, and several other nursing organizations have filed suit regarding the Department of Education’s improper exclusion of nursing and CRNA programs from professional degree status. We know this issue is extremely important to our members, students, programs, and the future of the CRNA workforce, and we want to provide an update on AANA’s ongoing work in this area.

Please know that the AANA Board of Directors is actively engaged and evaluating multiple options to ensure the CRNA voice is heard and that this issue is addressed appropriately. The Board recently met to discuss several potential paths forward, including participation in pending litigation, possible independent action, continued legislative advocacy, and the filing of amicus briefs in these cases where appropriate.

Multiple legal and legislative efforts are now underway. Twenty-five state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit related to this issue, and another major nursing organization is building a different coalition around a separate lawsuit with similar legal arguments. AANA is carefully evaluating whether and how to participate in these efforts while also considering the broader legislative landscape.

There are also now several bills filed that would create a legislative fix to this issue. Because of that, we must consider not only the legal merits of each option, but also the potential political implications in Washington, D.C. For example, the organization leading the AACN-related lawsuit carries certain political connotations in D.C., which could complicate bipartisan legislative efforts. That does not mean the lawsuit lacks merit, but it is one of several strategic factors the Board must weigh carefully.

Our goal is simple: to correct this improper classification and protect the ability of future CRNAs and nursing professionals to access appropriate federal loan support.

This is a complex issue with legal, legislative, political, and strategic considerations. Please be assured that AANA is actively reviewing all available options and remains committed to advocating strongly on behalf of our profession, our students, and the future CRNA workforce.

We will continue to keep members updated as decisions are made and next steps become clearer.

Sincerely, 

The AANA Board of Directors