At this year’s HLTH conference, nurses from various backgrounds gathered to participate in a Nurses Hackathon, an event aimed at fostering innovation and addressing some of the most critical challenges facing the nursing profession today. Sponsored by ConnectRN and the University City Science Center and hosted by Rebecca Love from NurseApproved, the hackathon focused on empowering nurses to take an active role in designing solutions that would not only enhance their own practice but also advance the healthcare industry as a whole. The event brought together nurses, tech innovators, and healthcare leaders to generate transformative ideas that directly respond to the pressing needs of the nursing workforce.
In a fast-paced, 90-minute session, hackathon participants formed teams to brainstorm and develop solutions to core issues in nursing and patient care. Nurses drew from their experiences on the frontlines, sharing insights into the persistent challenges they face—from chronic understaffing and limited access to training resources to cumbersome administrative demands and the lack of cutting-edge technology. In these intense discussions, the teams collaboratively identified specific problems and conceptualized practical, scalable solutions to address them. The event culminated in each team delivering a three-minute pitch to a panel of distinguished judges:
These judges, who are each leaders in healthcare and technology, evaluated the pitches based on creativity, feasibility, and potential impact. The diversity of perspectives on the judging panel provided participants with valuable feedback and highlighted the importance of cross-industry collaboration.
Here’s a look at the winning solutions that captivated the judges and exemplified the nurses’ commitment to solving real-world problems:
The first-place team introduced LINQ, a real-time language translation device aimed at overcoming communication barriers in healthcare settings. Designed to be HIPAA-compliant, LINQ integrates with existing hospital systems to deliver instant voice and written translations. By facilitating seamless communication between patients and staff, LINQ enhances patient engagement and helps bridge one of healthcare’s most persistent gaps.
In second place, RNSYNC addressed the pressing need for competency validation among new nurses in high-stakes acute care settings. The team proposed AI-powered eyeglasses that feature video tracking, eye-gaze tracking, and real-time prompts, providing immediate, personalized support to nurses. This technology aims to build confidence and accuracy in new nurses.
- Tonychris Nnaka, Ph.D. RN, MPH
- Laura Kincheloe, Ed.D, MSN, RN, NE-BC
- Francine Bono-Neri, Ph.D., RN, APRN, PNP
- Geraldine Cornell, Ed.D., RN
- Dayna Dixon Ph.D., RN, NPD-BC, CPHQ
- Susan Davis, DNP, MSN, RN
- Jean Kim, RN, BSN
Capturing third place and winning the audience’s vote, NightinGuard is an AI-powered hospital bed designed to predict and prevent patient falls. With a holographic assistant to engage patients and AI algorithms that analyze behavior, NightinGuard can alert nursing staff before a patient attempts to leave the bed, helping to prevent falls and improve safety. This solution could reduce the physical and administrative demands of fall-related incidents, freeing up more time for nurses to focus on patient care.
- Becky Fox, MSN, RN-BC
- Stephania Chiulli, MBA, MSN, RN
- Erica Rosenstock, MNRN
- Eti Rosenberg, NP, MA
- Courtney Hogenson, RN
- Jean Ross, BSN MHA, RN
- Onike Williams, MSN, FNP-C
The Nurses Hackathon at HLTH demonstrated that when nurses are given the platform to innovate, they can generate ideas with transformative potential. Each of these solutions reflects the ingenuity of the nursing workforce and their capacity to address the challenges they face daily. With support from organizations like ConnectRN and the Science Center, events like this hackathon are instrumental in propelling healthcare innovation forward. The hackathon underscored the vital role nurses play in shaping the future of healthcare, reminding us all that their voices and ideas are essential to improving outcomes for patients and professionals alike.
