PhD, Nursing Science (2013) Widener University (PA)
MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner (2008) Widener University (PA)
BSN, Nursing (2005) University of Pennsylvania (PA)
BA, German-Economics (1997) Skidmore College (NY)
Research Interests
I am a health services researcher and nationally-recognized expert on the nurse practitioner workforce. My work examines the role of the nurse practitioner to improve care delivery and outcomes within the contexts of an evolving healthcare system and policy reform. I am also interested in role transition for the novice nurse practitioner and finding ways to support new nurse practitioners as they enter clinical practice.
I direct the DNP Program and teach in the DNP and PhD programs. I am passionate about mentoring students to explore their interests as the develop their own clinical and research scholarship.
I have expertise in secondary data analysis using large data sets, primary data collection, advanced statistical methods, and instrument development. I have published and presented my research widely for nursing and interdisciplinary audiences. I completed an NINR T32 post-doctoral research fellowship in the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
Media Expertise
Nurse practitioner workforce
Nurse practitioner role transition
Health services research
Health policy
Measurement and assessment
Publications
O’Reilly-Jacob, M., Featherston, K. G., Barnes, H., Xue, Y., & Poghosyan, L. (2025). Socio-economic characteristics of communities with primary care practices with nurse practitioners. JAMA-Network Open, 8(2), e2462360. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.62360
Barnes, H., Rambur, B., Black, L., Perloff, J., & O’Reilly-Jacob, M. (2025). Incorporating value-informed advanced nursing practice into APRN education. Journal of Professional Nursing, 56, 64-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.12.001
Hu, X., Coplan, B., Barnes, H., Smith, N., Essary, A., & Dill, M. (2024). Physicians working with physician assistants and nurse practitioners: Perceived effects on clinical practice. Health Affairs Scholar, 2(6), qxae070. https://doi.org/10.1093/haschl/qxae070
Strobehn, P., Barnes, H., Bellury, L., & Randolph, J. (2024). U.S. Nurse practitioner turnover: Analysis from the 2018 NSSRN. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 36(4), 210-218. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000960
Ryskina, K. L., Liang, J., Ritter, A. Z., Spetz, J., & Barnes, H. (2024). State scope of practice restrictions and nurse practitioner practice in nursing homes: 2012-2019. Health Affairs Scholar, 2(2), qxae018. https://doi.org/10.1093/haschl/qxae018
Morgan, P., Barnes, H., Batchelder, H. R., Tuttle, B., Faraz Covelli, A., Everett, C., Jackson, G. L., Anglin, L., Ortiz Pate, N., Dieter, P., & Bludorn, J. (2023). Nurse practitioner and physician assistant transition to practice: A scoping review of fellowships and onboarding programs. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 35(12), 776-783. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000932
Faraz Covelli, A., & Barnes, H. (2023). Novice nurse practitioners’ employment decisions and role transition experiences during COVID-19. Journal of Professional Nursing 47, 81-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.05.009
Barnes, H., Chen, A. J., McHugh, M. D., & Richards, M. R. (2023). Public insurance expansions and labor demand in physician practices. Journal of Human Resources. https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0920-11176R2
Barnes, H., Alexander, D., & Richards, M. R. (2023). Retail health clinic growth as a potential primary care disruptor. Medical Care Research and Review, 80(3), 328-332. https://doi.org/10.1177/10775587231153008
Ortiz Pate, N., Barnes, H., Anglin, L., Sanchez, M., Batchelder, H., Everett, C., & Morgan, P. (2023). Physician assistant and nurse practitioner onboarding in primary care: The participant perspective. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 35(2), 122-129. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000823
Barnes, H., Faraz Covelli, A., & Rubright, J. D. (2023). A confirmatory factor analysis of the Novice Nurse Practitioner Role Transition Scale. Research in Nursing & Health, 46(1), 127-135. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.22277
Barnes, H., Martsolf, G. R., McHugh, M. D., & Richards, M. R. (2022). Vertical integration and physician practice labor composition. Medical Care Research and Review, 79(1), 46-57. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077558720972596
Barnes, H., Richards, M. R., Martsolf, G. R., Nikpay, S. S., & McHugh, M. R. (2022). Association between physician practice Medicaid acceptance and employing nurse practitioners and physician assistants: A longitudinal analysis. Health Care Management Review, 47(1), 21-27. https://doi.org/10.1097/HMR.0000000000000291
Barnes, H., Faraz Covelli, A., & Rubright, J. D. (2022). Development of the Novice Nurse Practitioner Role Transition Scale: An exploratory factor analysis. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 43(1), 79-88. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000566
See my complete publication list on Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=nKppndMAAAAJ&hl=en
Professional Affiliations & Memberships
American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Eastern Nursing Research Society, National League for Nursing, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, Sigma Theta Tau International, Eta Beta Chapter, Widener University
Awards
Excellence in Research Award, Sigma Theta Tau, Eta Beta Chapter, Widener University School of Nursing (2023)
AANP Open Access Award, American Association for Nurse Practitioners (2021)
Fellow, American Association of Nurse Practitioners (2020)
Noteworthy
Widener commends faculty at 2025 awards event
Widener University honored faculty members for distinction in areas of civic engagement, institutional leadership, research, as well as innovative and distinguished teaching. Various faculty were awarded at the ceremony, held Wednesday, Oct. 29 in the University Center. Honors included:
• The Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award , given to a faculty member who has exemplified a history of teaching at the highest level of distinction. It is endowed by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, a Philadelphia-based foundation that provides grants to institutions of higher education for the promotion of excellence in teaching. The recipient was Commonwealth Law School Associate Professor Amanda Sholtis of Enola, Pennsylvania.
• The Faculty Award for Civic Engagement, which recognizes the outstanding contributions faculty members have made in accordance with Widener’s civic engagement mission, as well as solidifying Widener students’ understanding of their social responsibilities, and the impact of their disciplinary learning. This year's recipient was College of Arts and Sciences Professor Stuart Eimer of Collingswood, New Jersey.
• The Outstanding Researcher Award, given to a faculty member who has participated in research and scholarship nationally or internationally, and made a significant contribution through their research, while advancing their profession or discipline as well as the university’s mission and vision. The recipient was Associate Professor Hilary Barnes of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Barnes teaches in the Jack & Nancy Dwyer School of Nursing.
• The Fitz Dixon Innovation in Teaching Award highlights an individual who has designed, implemented, and assessed an innovative or experimental teaching and learning project. This award was presented to College of Arts and Sciences Associate Teaching Professor Catherine Safran of Bear, Delaware.
• The Faculty Institutional Leadership Award recognizes a record of leading initiatives that further the university’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives. This year’s award recipient was College of Arts and Sciences Professor Hemlata Mistry of Wallingford, Pennsylvania.
Photo shows, from left, Interim Provost Mark Nicosia, Professor Hemlata Mistry, Professor Stuart Eimer, Professor Hilary Barnes, Associate Teaching Professor Catherine Safran and Associate Professor Amanda Sholtis.
