Wayne Reich

Final day at the ANA Leadership Summit. President Jackson-Butts and I met our ANA Gen Z Ambassador and enjoyed dinner together. Energized by the conversation and the future of nursing leadership.

Day 1 at the ANA Leadership Summit delivered a full slate of professional growth and forward-thinking conversations. Sessions focused on elevating leadership practices, navigating complex workforce dynamics, and strengthening governance across nursing organizations. I appreciated the opportunity to learn alongside colleagues who are tackling similar challenges and sharing strategies that drive meaningful impact. Energized for what’s ahead this week.

I’m excited to join nurse leaders from across the country this week at the ANA Leadership Summit. This gathering is always a meaningful opportunity to step back from the day-to-day, connect with colleagues who are shaping the future of our profession, and focus on the big-picture challenges and opportunities ahead.

As CEO of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association and the Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania, I’m here to learn, collaborate, and bring forward ideas that will strengthen our organizations and the nurses we serve. From governance and workforce issues to the evolving role of technology and the power of unified advocacy, this Summit brings together the conversations that matter most for nursing’s future.

Looking forward to a powerful few days of learning, connection, and inspiration—and to bringing these insights home to Pennsylvania’s nurses.

Nurses, speak up! Let the U.S. Department of Education know that its proposed rule is wrong to say that graduate nursing students are not earning "professional" degrees. Seriously? See our news release in the comments and click on the link to sign the ANA petition.

Every day I’m reminded how deeply our work relies on strong partnerships and a united nursing profession. Whether it’s advancing workforce initiatives, strengthening educational pathways, or supporting the next generation of nurses, the impact grows when we move forward together.

I’m grateful for the nurses, students, educators, and leaders who continue to show up for this profession—not just in clinical spaces, but in advocacy, service, and community engagement.

If you haven’t already, consider connecting with your state nursing association or a foundation that supports nursing. Your voice strengthens our collective work, and your involvement helps ensure a healthier future for Pennsylvania.

The Department of Education’s newest proposal raises a serious equity issue for the nursing profession.

As STAT News reports, the DOE is relying on outdated definitions of profession and graduate education — definitions that don’t reflect the depth, rigor, or clinical complexity of advanced nursing practice. These misaligned classifications limit how much graduate nursing students can borrow, creating financial barriers not faced by students in comparable professions.

Nurses deserve the same access to federal graduate loan options as peers in medicine, pharmacy, social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other recognized professions. Anything less undermines our workforce pipeline at a time when Pennsylvania and the nation urgently need more advanced practice nurses.

This is about fairness.
This is about accuracy.
This is about ensuring nursing is treated equitably among all professions requiring advanced degrees.

Your voice is essential. Share your story and take action through ANA’s portal:
👉 https://zurl.co/8vXVs

And if you haven’t yet joined your professional association, now is the time. Strong advocacy depends on strong membership.
Join PSNA:
👉 https://zurl.co/knevR

Let’s ensure nursing receives the respect — and the federal support — it deserves as a true profession.

RN Action While the American Nurses Association (ANA) advocates for top nursing priorities year-round, nothing is more impactful than lawmakers hearing directly from nurses and nursing students.

The DOE’s proposal limits how much nursing grad students can borrow an inequity not applied to other professions.

Nursing is a profession and deserves equal access to loans.

Speak out: https://zurl.co/NPW5O
Join PSNA: https://zurl.co/xK1lq

RN Action While the American Nurses Association (ANA) advocates for top nursing priorities year-round, nothing is more impactful than lawmakers hearing directly from nurses and nursing students.