Nurse Develops AI Scheduling Platform, Saving Managers 5+ Hours Weekly
In a recent episode of Nurse Converse, host Colton Lord sits down with Sergey Vasilenko, co-founder and Chief Nursing Officer of In-House Health, to explore the intersection of healthcare and technology. Sergey shares his journey from bedside nursing to health tech entrepreneurship, where he's tackling one of the profession’s most pressing challenges: burnout and retention.
The Challenge of Burnout and Retention
Burnout in nursing has reached alarming levels, with one in five nurses leaving their jobs after just one year—a stark increase from the 13% turnover rates of the mid-2000s. Unsafe staffing levels and excessive workloads are the primary drivers, leading to job dissatisfaction and stress. Sergey emphasizes the critical need for solutions to address these systemic issues, which jeopardize the sustainability of the nursing workforce.
A Technological Solution: AI-Powered Scheduling
Sergey’s company, In-House Health, leverages artificial intelligence to optimize nurse scheduling, alleviating common pain points like overstaffing and understaffing. The platform uses advanced algorithms trained on five years of clinical data to predict staffing needs in real time.
Benefits of AI Scheduling:
- Improved Work-Life Balance: Predictable staffing helps reduce last-minute schedule changes, giving nurses more control over their time.
- Financial Impact: Hospitals using the platform could save up to $800,000 annually by optimizing labor costs and improving efficiency.
- Time Savings: Nurse managers reclaim over five hours weekly previously spent on manual scheduling.
Breaking Barriers to Innovation
Despite the promise of solutions like In-House Health, Sergey acknowledges the hurdles of introducing new technologies into traditional healthcare systems:
- Resistance to Change: Many institutions are slow to adopt innovations, prioritizing physician-focused tools over nursing solutions.
- Demonstrating Value: Convincing stakeholders of the tangible benefits requires patience and persistence.
However, Sergey believes the tide is turning as nurses increasingly step into leadership roles, driving change from within.
Empowering Nurse Entrepreneurs
Sergey challenges the stigma that nurses aren't innovators or business leaders. “It’s going to be tough and it’s going to be difficult, but you should try,” he advises aspiring nurse entrepreneurs. Sharing his own journey, Sergey illustrates how nurses’ firsthand understanding of healthcare challenges makes them uniquely positioned to pioneer impactful solutions.
He also highlights the value of participating in hackathons, where collaborative problem-solving fosters creativity and innovation. At a recent event, Sergey saw how nurses developed groundbreaking ideas in just 90 minutes, underscoring the untapped potential within the profession.
A Vision for the Future
For Sergey, In-House Health is more than a tech company—it’s part of a movement to create a sustainable and supportive work environment for nurses. His ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between technology and bedside care, empowering nurses to thrive while enhancing patient outcomes.
Sergey Vasilenko’s journey showcases the transformative potential of merging nursing expertise with entrepreneurial spirit. By tackling burnout and fostering innovation, his work is paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable future in nursing.
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