Items By: Haley Simons

Nathan Tarr, MS

Nathan M. Tarr, MS, is the Data Systems Manager with the Program on Health Workforce Research and Policy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Guilford College and a Master of Science from North Carolina State University. Nathan manages the modernization of the NC Health Professions Data System to support research on trends in the… Read more »

Jennifer Headley, MSW

Jennifer Headley, MSW is a Project Manager/Research Associate with the Program on Health Workforce Research and Policy. In her role, Jennifer assists with study design and planning, manages project implementation, and facilitates research dissemination. Her work focuses on two projects: 1) a 5-year project evaluating the impact of the UNC System Office nursing program expansion… Read more »

Understanding States’ Use of Alternative Pathways for Foreign-Trained Physicians

Investigators: Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP Colleen Tapen, MPH, MBA, Haley Simons, Emily Hawes, PharmD, BCPS, CPP An increasing number of US states are allowing international medical graduates (IMGs) to pursue alternative pathways to residency, licensure, and practice, in some cases bypassing the requirement to complete a US residency. In this study, we will interview experts… Read more »

Understanding Trends in Nurse Practitioner Turnover by Setting

Investigators: Esita Patel, PhD, Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP It is unclear how the COVID-19 pandemic affected turnover of Nurse Practitioners (NP) and how NP turnover varies by setting. This study will compare NP workforce behaviors (e.g., turnover rates, intention to leave, and reasons for leaving or staying) during the pre-pandemic (2018) and mid-pandemic (2022) periods… Read more »

Visualizing Trends in Foreign-Born and Foreign-Trained Physicians Working in the United States

Investigators: Brianna Lombardi, PhD, MSW, Evan Galloway, MPS, Brooke Lombardi, PhD, MSW, Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP As the United States faces worsening workforce shortages and a persistent maldistribution of health care workers, foreign-born and foreign-trained health professionals may comprise an increasingly important labor source. We will develop a data visualization that allows users to explore… Read more »

Health Care Workforce Playbooks and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Investigators: Anna Dodson, BSPH; Nathan Nelson-Maney, BS; Thomas C. Ricketts, MPH, PhD; Jill Forcina PhD, RN, CNE, CNL, OCN Objectives: To develop guidelines for training and information on accessing training resources to “surge” healthcare workforce professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. These documents are called “Playbooks” and are meant to provide health care systems,… Read more »

 Understanding Trends in Nurse Practitioner Turnover by Setting

Investigators: Esita Patel, PhD, Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP It is unclear how the COVID-19 pandemic affected turnover of Nurse Practitioners (NP) and how NP turnover varies by setting. This study will compare NP workforce behaviors (e.g., turnover rates, intention to leave, and reasons for leaving or staying) during the pre-pandemic (2018) and mid-pandemic (2022) periods… Read more »

Understanding States’ Use of Alternative Pathways for Foreign-Trained Physicians

Investigators: Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP Colleen Tapen, MPH, MBA, Haley Simons, Emily Hawes, PharmD, BCPS, CPP An increasing number of US states are allowing international medical graduates (IMGs) to pursue alternative pathways to residency, licensure, and practice, in some cases bypassing the requirement to complete a US residency. In this study, we will interview experts… Read more »

Visualizing Trends in Foreign-Born and Foreign-Trained Physicians Working in the United States

Investigators: Brianna Lombardi, PhD, MSW, Evan Galloway, MPS, Brooke Lombardi, PhD, MSW, Erin Fraher, PhD, MPP As the United States faces worsening workforce shortages and a persistent maldistribution of health care workers, foreign-born and foreign-trained health professionals may comprise an increasingly important labor source. We will develop a data visualization that allows users to explore… Read more »

Physician Assistants & Nurse Practitioner Roles in Patient-Centered Medical Homes

Investigators: Christine M. Everett, PhD, MPH, PA‐C; Brandi Leach, MS; Perri Morgan, PhD, PA‐C Background: Team-based care involving physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) is one recommended strategy for improving access, quality, and cost of care in the patient-centered medical home (PCMH). The fact that PA/NPs can, and do, perform a variety of roles on… Read more »

Pathways in Nursing Careers: Transitions from the Role of Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse in North Carolina

Investigators: Cheryl B. Jones, PhD, RN, FAAN Mark Toles, PhD, RN, George J. Knafl, PhD, Anna S. Beeber, PhD, RN Background: A more diverse registered nurse (RN) workforce is needed to provide healthcare in North Carolina (NC) and nationally. Studies describing licensed practical nurse (LPN) career transitions to RNs are lacking. This study explored the feasibility of… Read more »