Conceptualizing a mobile mental health platform for a nurse-led startup
Conceptualizing a mobile mental health platform for a nurse-led startup
Conceptualizing a mobile mental health platform for a nurse-led startup
Conceptualizing a mobile mental health platform for a nurse-led startup
Nursefully is an early-stage startup with a mission to combat burnout in the nursing industry. They sought to develop a minimum viable product (MVP) to empower nurses to take control of their well-being and help breathe life back into the profession.
Nursefully is an early-stage startup with a mission to combat burnout in the nursing industry. They sought to develop a minimum viable product (MVP) to empower nurses to take control of their well-being and help breathe life back into the profession.
Client
Client
Nursefully
Nursefully
Industry
Industry
Mental Health & Wellness
Mental Health & Wellness
Project Type
Project Type
Mobile Design
Mobile Design
Mobile Design
Role
Role
Sole Product Designer
Sole Product Designer
Sole Product Designer
Timeframe
Timeframe
Winter 2023
Winter 2023
Winter 2023
Tools
Tools
Figma, Zoom
Figma, Zoom
Figma, Zoom
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
Problem
Problem
Problem
By 2027, an estimated 20% of US nurses will leave the workforce.
Nursing professionals face a crisis of burnout and stress — intensified by the unique demands of their profession and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite solutions like employee assistance programs (EAP) and digital mental health apps, these resources are often underutilized or fail to address nurse-specific needs.
By 2027, an estimated 20% of US nurses will leave the workforce.
Nursing professionals face a crisis of burnout and stress — intensified by the unique demands of their profession and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite solutions like employee assistance programs (EAP) and digital mental health apps, these resources are often underutilized or fail to address nurse-specific needs.
By 2027, an estimated 20% of US nurses will leave the workforce.
Nursing professionals face a crisis of burnout and stress — intensified by the unique demands of their profession and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite solutions like employee assistance programs (EAP) and digital mental health apps, these resources are often underutilized or fail to address nurse-specific needs.
Solution
Solution
Solution
I led the design of Nursefully, a comprehensive and personalized mobile app that enables nurses to access targeted content, a supportive community, and interactive mental health tools — designed specifically for them.
I led the design of Nursefully, a comprehensive and personalized mobile app that enables nurses to access targeted content, a supportive community, and interactive mental health tools — designed specifically for them.
I led the design of Nursefully, a comprehensive and personalized mobile app that enables nurses to access targeted content, a supportive community, and interactive mental health tools — designed specifically for them.
Challenge
Challenge
Challenge
Conceptualize a digital app that addresses the unique mental, emotional, and physical well-being of nursing professionals.
Conceptualize a digital app that addresses the unique mental, emotional, and physical well-being of nursing professionals.
Conceptualize a digital app that addresses the unique mental, emotional, and physical well-being of nursing professionals.
Goals
Goals
Goals
Create a seamless app entry point
Design an intuitive navigation for easy access to core features
Develop a compelling brand presence that resonates with the nursing community
Create a seamless app entry point
Design an intuitive navigation for easy access to core features
Develop a compelling brand presence that resonates with the nursing community
Create a seamless app entry point
Design an intuitive navigation for easy access to core features
Develop a compelling brand presence that resonates with the nursing community
Constraints
Constraints
Constraints
Operating as the sole product designer
Lack of a technical development resource
Balancing complexity in defining the product features
Operating as the sole product designer
Lack of a technical development resource
Balancing complexity in defining the product features
Operating as the sole product designer
Lack of a technical development resource
Balancing complexity in defining the product features
DESIGN PROCESS
DESIGN PROCESS
DESIGN PROCESS
RESEARCH & ANALYSIS >
I interviewed seven nursing professionals* to understand more about nurse burnout. Here's what I learned:
I interviewed seven nursing professionals* to understand more about nurse burnout. Here's what I learned:
I interviewed seven nursing professionals* to understand more about nurse burnout. Here's what I learned:
1. Multifaceted career challenges
1. Multifaceted career challenges
1. Multifaceted career challenges
Participants described challenges ranging from their initial transition to nursing, fast-paced and high-pressure environments, long hours with limited breaks, staffing shortages, workplace bullying, balancing patient and family support, and prolonged exposure to patient suffering and death.
Participants described challenges ranging from their initial transition to nursing, fast-paced and high-pressure environments, long hours with limited breaks, staffing shortages, workplace bullying, balancing patient and family support, and prolonged exposure to patient suffering and death.
2. Distinct and complex burnout
2. Distinct and complex burnout
2. Distinct and complex burnout
Participants described symptoms of such as constant exhaustion, emotional stress, depression, anxiety, feelings of loneliness, numbing, lack of motivation to practice self-care, and dread of work. Most of them admitted to—at some point—questioning their career choices to enter nursing.
Participants described symptoms of such as constant exhaustion, emotional stress, depression, anxiety, feelings of loneliness, numbing, lack of motivation to practice self-care, and dread of work. Most of them admitted to—at some point—questioning their career choices to enter nursing.
3. Unhealthy coping mechanisms
3. Unhealthy coping mechanisms
3. Unhealthy coping mechanisms
Participants described coping methods such as self-medicating, heavy alcohol consumption, emotional suppression, leaving bedside care, quitting to work at another hospital, leaving to pursue another nursing degree, and quitting the profession entirely.
Participants described coping methods such as self-medicating, heavy alcohol consumption, emotional suppression, leaving bedside care, quitting to work at another hospital, leaving to pursue another nursing degree, and quitting the profession entirely.
4. Inadequate mental health support
4. Inadequate mental health support
4. Inadequate mental health support
Hospital cultures often promote a culture of self-reliance, pressuring nurses to internalize their emotional struggles. Participants also noted inadequacies such as the inability to find a suitable therapist, limited sessions, and lack of bandwidth to take time during a shift for therapy.
Hospital cultures often promote a culture of self-reliance, pressuring nurses to internalize their emotional struggles. Participants also noted inadequacies such as the inability to find a suitable therapist, limited sessions, and lack of bandwidth to take time during a shift for therapy.
*I also spoke to former nursing professionals who left the workplace in the last 5 years.
*I also spoke to former nursing professionals who left the workplace in the last 5 years.
“It feels like the way the system is set up right now is that you are worked until you break physically, mentally or emotionally. And then you’re kind of just replaced."
“It feels like the way the system is set up right now is that you are worked until you break physically, mentally or emotionally. And then you’re kind of just replaced."
“It feels like the way the system is set up right now is that you are worked until you break physically, mentally or emotionally. And then you’re kind of just replaced."
- Nurse, San Francisco
- Nurse, San Francisco
- Nurse, San Francisco
To grasp the nuances of our target users, I crafted three distinct personas.
To grasp the nuances of our target users, I crafted three distinct personas.
To grasp the nuances of our target users, I crafted three distinct personas.
A key representation is Alana, a seasoned critical care nurse with over a decade of experience at various healthcare institutions. Alana's persona emphasizes the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her stress levels and signs of burnout. Her story illuminates the complex challenges nurses face and also serves as a foundation for our design solution.
A key representation is Alana, a seasoned critical care nurse with over a decade of experience at various healthcare institutions. Alana's persona emphasizes the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her stress levels and signs of burnout. Her story illuminates the complex challenges nurses face and also serves as a foundation for our design solution.
A key representation is Alana, a seasoned critical care nurse with over a decade of experience at various healthcare institutions. Alana's persona emphasizes the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her stress levels and signs of burnout. Her story illuminates the complex challenges nurses face and also serves as a foundation for our design solution.
Primary user persona
Primary user persona
Primary user persona
No holistic solution exists to address the complex mental health needs and challenges within nursing.
No holistic solution exists to address the complex mental health needs and challenges within nursing.
No holistic solution exists to address the complex mental health needs and challenges within nursing.
No holistic solution exists to address the complex mental health needs and challenges within nursing.
Platforms like Emotional PPE Project and BetterHelp focus on therapy access alone
Zeera includes regularly updated audio/video content and virtual events
Fifth Window and Nursewell are offer targeted content for nurses, though I noticed several gaps in the user experience
Platforms like Emotional PPE Project and BetterHelp focus on therapy access alone
Zeera includes regularly updated audio/video content and virtual events
Fifth Window and Nursewell are offer targeted content for nurses, though I noticed several gaps in the user experience
Competitor analysis of various mental health platforms
Competitor analysis of various mental health platforms
Competitor analysis of various mental health platforms
For an in-depth overview of our research insights, please refer to this presentation.
For an in-depth overview of our research insights, please refer to this presentation.
FEATURE PRIORITIZATION >
Prioritizing Nursefully's features for the MVP
Prioritizing Nursefully's features for the MVP
Prioritizing Nursefully's features for the MVP
Although the founders had existing features in mind, I introduced the Crazy Eights technique in order to stretch our imaginations even further. Rapidly brainstorming outside of our normal thought processes enabled us to generate a wide variety of ideas and move more quickly defining our feature set.
Without a developer to help scope technical requirements, I used the MoSCOW method, feasibility assessment, and a prioritization matrix to distill our ideas into priority features:
Onboarding
Mood tracking
Library of interactive content
Support groups
Therapy directory
Although the founders had existing features in mind, I introduced the Crazy Eights technique in order to stretch our imaginations even further. Rapidly brainstorming outside of our normal thought processes enabled us to generate a wide variety of ideas and move more quickly defining our feature set.
Without a developer to help scope technical requirements, I used the MoSCOW method, feasibility assessment, and a prioritization matrix to distill our ideas into priority features:
Onboarding
Mood tracking
Library of interactive content
Support groups
Therapy directory
Prioritizing features using the feasibility and MoSCOW methods
Prioritizing features using the feasibility and MoSCOW methods
Prioritizing features using the feasibility and MoSCOW methods
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE >
Determining navigation: IA and user flow ideation workshop
Determining navigation: IA and user flow ideation workshop
Determining navigation: IA and user flow ideation workshop
Guided by our feature set, I developed a sitemap and user flows to determine the app's navigation and content structure. We decided to streamline content into four main sections:
Home
Explore
Connect
You
Guided by our feature set, I developed a sitemap and user flows to determine the app's navigation and content structure. We decided to streamline content into four main sections:
Home
Explore
Connect
You
Nursefully sitemap
Nursefully sitemap
Nursefully sitemap
I facilitated an in-person ideation workshop, with the aim of fleshing out the main use cases of the app. We wanted this app to resonate with each nurse, regardless of their specialty, experience, or goals.
Our focus was to develop an onboarding 'happy path' to capture essential user details without creating unnecessary friction. The ideas we created significantly shaped the user journey and defining decision points.
I facilitated an in-person ideation workshop, with the aim of fleshing out the main use cases of the app. We wanted this app to resonate with each nurse, regardless of their specialty, experience, or goals.
Our focus was to develop an onboarding 'happy path' to capture essential user details without creating unnecessary friction. The ideas we created significantly shaped the user journey and defining decision points.
Ideating concepts for user onboarding
Ideating concepts for user onboarding
Ideating concepts for user onboarding
Offering users flexibility and choice during onboarding
Users can personalize their experience by answering nursing-related questions. They also have flexibility to explore key features before making an informed decision on account creation:
Offering users flexibility and choice during onboarding
Users can personalize their experience by answering nursing-related questions. They also have flexibility to explore key features before making an informed decision on account creation:
Onboarding experience
Onboarding experience
Onboarding experience
Personalized mood tracking to encourage self-reflection
Users can log their mood through a personalized mood tracking feature, including notes, photos, and voice notes. All of these insights are available in an interactive calendar for users to view and reflect on their emotional well-being.
Personalized mood tracking to encourage self-reflection
Users can log their mood through a personalized mood tracking feature, including notes, photos, and voice notes. All of these insights are available in an interactive calendar for users to view and reflect on their emotional well-being.
Mood tracking experience
Mood tracking experience
Mood tracking experience
BRANDING & VISUAL IDENTITY >
Developing Nursefully's visual identity
Developing Nursefully's visual identity
Developing Nursefully's visual identity
I developed a brand presence for Nursefully that aligned with core values such as authenticity, nurturing, empowerment, and accessibility. The process involved conducting a branding survey, creating mood boards, and engaging in discussions about our wider mission and vision. These informed key design elements, including the logo, color palette, typography choices, and other UI components.
One insight gleaned from my research was the demanding schedules of nurses, leaving them with limited bandwidth for personal time. My branding strategy prioritized clarity and transparency, ensuring that Nursefully's design not only reflects our core values but also serves as a transparent, user-friendly and comfortable interface for users.
I developed a brand presence for Nursefully that aligned with core values such as authenticity, nurturing, empowerment, and accessibility. The process involved conducting a branding survey, creating mood boards, and engaging in discussions about our wider mission and vision. These informed key design elements, including the logo, color palette, typography choices, and other UI components.
One insight gleaned from my research was the demanding schedules of nurses, leaving them with limited bandwidth for personal time. My branding strategy prioritized clarity and transparency, ensuring that Nursefully's design not only reflects our core values but also serves as a transparent, user-friendly and comfortable interface for users.
UI Component Library for Nursefully
UI Component Library for Nursefully
UI Component Library for Nursefully
WIREFRAMING & PROTOTYPING >
Bringing our concepts to life
Bringing our concepts to life
Bringing our concepts to life
I mapped the user journey using low-fidelity wireframes and iteratively developed high-fidelity versions, incorporating Nursefully's branding. I then created a polished prototype in Figma:
I mapped the user journey using low-fidelity wireframes and iteratively developed high-fidelity versions, incorporating Nursefully's branding. I then created a polished prototype in Figma:
Snapshot of the Figma prototype
Snapshot of the Figma prototype
Snapshot of the Figma prototype
USABILITY TESTING >
Validating our design through usability testing and iterative refinement
Validating our design through usability testing and iterative refinement
Validating our design through usability testing and iterative refinement
After creating the prototype, I conducted usability testing with nurses across the entire user journey. My goal was to validate core features and evaluate user perceptions of the brand.
After creating the prototype, I conducted usability testing with nurses across the entire user journey. My goal was to validate core features and evaluate user perceptions of the brand.
User feedback highlights:
User feedback highlights:
User feedback highlights:
Onboarding success: 83% of users completed onboarding within 2 minutes with no errors
Onboarding success: 83% of users completed onboarding within 2 minutes with no errors
Positive brand perception: users gave the app a brand perception score of 4.4 out of 5, describing it as simple, clean, and calm
Positive brand perception: users gave the app a brand perception score of 4.4 out of 5, describing it as simple, clean, and calm
Relevance of content: 100% of users found the content highly relevant for their needs
Relevance of content: 100% of users found the content highly relevant for their needs
Areas for improvement:
Areas for improvement:
Areas for improvement:
Areas for improvement:
Navigation challenges: 50% of users made errors while navigating the content library
Navigation challenges: 50% of users made errors while navigating the content library
Content overload on Home: users felt overwhelmed by content on the Home section
Content overload on Home: users felt overwhelmed by content on the Home section
Mood tracking discoverability: finding this feature posed challenges for most users, with 100% of users committing errors during this task
Mood tracking discoverability: finding this feature posed challenges for most users, with 100% of users committing errors during this task
Addressing the most prevalent user issues
Addressing the most prevalent user issues
Addressing the most prevalent user issues
Based on usability testing, I made the follow revisions:
Based on usability testing, I made the follow revisions:
Original navigation menu
Original navigation menu
Original navigation menu
Streamlined navigation menu
Streamlined navigation menu
Streamlined navigation menu
Streamlined bottom navigation menu
Streamlined bottom navigation menu
Streamlined bottom navigation menu
Removed mood tracking icon for simplicity
Simplified other icons to reduce confusion
Removed mood tracking icon for simplicity
Simplified other icons to reduce confusion
Original Home screen
Original Home screen
Original Home screen
Updated Home screen
Updated Home screen
Updated Home screen
Updated Home screen
Simplified Home section with mood tracking access
Simplified Home section with mood tracking access
Simplified Home section with mood tracking access
Streamlined the Home screen for a less crowded experience
Replaced top elements with a daily motivational quote section
Users have direct access to mood tracking in this section
Added a warmer background and personalized greeting for a calming look
Streamlined the Home screen for a less crowded experience
Replaced top elements with a daily motivational quote section
Users have direct access to mood tracking in this section
Added a warmer background and personalized greeting for a calming look
Streamlined the Home screen for a less crowded experience
Replaced top elements with a daily motivational quote section
Users have direct access to mood tracking in this section
Added a warmer background and personalized greeting for a calming look
Original support group listing
Original support group listing
Original support group listing
Updated support group listing with more viewable options
Updated support group listing with more viewable options
Updated support group listing with more viewable options
Updated support group listing with more viewable options
Improved visibility of upcoming support groups
Improved visibility of upcoming support groups
Improved visibility of upcoming support groups
Enhanced support group listing for busy nurses
Users can now view a minimum of 4 upcoming events at a glance
Enhanced support group listing for busy nurses
Users can now view a minimum of 4 upcoming events at a glance
Enhanced support group listing for busy nurses
Users can now view a minimum of 4 upcoming events at a glance
New filter for therapy directory
New filter for therapy directory
New filter for therapy directory
Enhanced therapy directory to enable deeper search capability
Enhanced therapy directory to enable deeper search capability
Enhanced therapy directory to enable deeper search capability
Adding more filters to the therapy directory feature
Users can now search for a therapy provider based on additional criteria such as gender, language, and ethnicity
Adding more filters to the therapy directory feature
Users can now search for a therapy provider based on additional criteria such as gender, language, and ethnicity
Next Steps
Next Steps
Design handoff
Design handoff
Design handoff
Throughout H1 2024, I will be helping Nursefully to onboard a developer, prepare for design handoff, and create documentation to ensure a smooth transition. I will also support them through the initial development phase of the MVP.
Throughout H1 2024, I will be helping Nursefully to onboard a developer, prepare for design handoff, and create documentation to ensure a smooth transition. I will also support them through the initial development phase of the MVP.
Measuring impact for launch
Measuring impact for launch
Measuring impact for launch
I also advised the founders to identify key metrics that will be crucial for measuring Nursefully's performance upon launch. Here are several recommended metrics:
Onboarding conversion rates
Feature adoption rates
Support group signup rates
User engagement metrics (DAU, WAU, MAU)
User retention rate
Churn rate
I also advised the founders to identify key metrics that will be crucial for measuring Nursefully's performance upon launch. Here are several recommended metrics:
Onboarding conversion rates
Feature adoption rates
Support group signup rates
User engagement metrics (DAU, WAU, MAU)
User retention rate
Churn rate
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
"Our business idea was mostly a passion project before we met Kate. Not only does Kate care about the crispness and clarity of design, she cares about building products that matter and have a lasting impact. This was demonstrated by her constant curiosity and receptivity to feedback. We are now in the app development process and I really don't think our company would be where it is today if it hadn't been for Kate."
"Our business idea was mostly a passion project before we met Kate. Not only does Kate care about the crispness and clarity of design, she cares about building products that matter and have a lasting impact. This was demonstrated by her constant curiosity and receptivity to feedback. We are now in the app development process and I really don't think our company would be where it is today if it hadn't been for Kate."
Kimberly Chow
Co-Founder, Nursefully
"I am in awe of Kate's intuition, her ability to parse out and understand what we were looking for before we were even able to formulate a fleshed out idea, and her patience and skill at balancing our different preferences and visions. Her attention to detail, commitment to her craft and the iterative process, and ability to keep us focused were instrumental in bringing our idea to fruition."
"I am in awe of Kate's intuition, her ability to parse out and understand what we were looking for before we were even able to formulate a fleshed out idea, and her patience and skill at balancing our different preferences and visions. Her attention to detail, commitment to her craft and the iterative process, and ability to keep us focused were instrumental in bringing our idea to fruition."
Stephanie Chu
Co-Founder, Nursefully
