National Nurses United supports the White House's new community college initiative – a move that would open doors for a new generation of registered nurses.

"Millions of young women have long counted on our community colleges as their means to obtain an associate degree in nursing. These programs are essential for nurses, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds or underreported communities to achieve their dreams in providing quality care for patients, and their communities, as well as securing economic opportunity for themselves and their families," said NNU Executive Director RoseAnn DeMoro.

Under the proposed deal, the federal government would cover 75 percent of the cost with the states paying for the rest.

"Yet the ADN degree has come under increasing attack by the corporatized healthcare industry," DeMoro said, noting the growing numbers of hospitals seeking to restrict hiring and advancement to RNs with four-year degrees.

Reducing the cost of education and lessening students' loans will expand opportunities and ultimately incomes, especially for women and communities of color, she said.

Everyone benefits from an overall nursing workforce that more closely resembles the population in racial, as well as socio-economic diversity.

Ultimately, NNU said the U.S. should move toward improving access to education at all levels, such as making all higher education tuition free. One way to achieve that would be enactment of a small fee on Wall Street transactions of stocks, bonds, derivatives and other financial instruments, the Robin Hood Tax, which could be used in part to pay for equal access to education for all.

"With this initiative, the White House is planting the seeds for a better educated workforce, a better economy, and a better America," DeMoro said. "Congress should welcome this proposal and work with the President to bring it to fruition."