Bullhorn

Go HWS Mobile

HealthTrust, a subsidiary of HCA Healthcare, the U.S.’ largest health system, was using Bullhorn’s eRecruit platform to manage the recruitment process for per diem nurses. These nurses operate as on-demand workers, selecting their own shifts across various healthcare facilities.

Traditionally, per diem recruitment involved a HealthTrust representative acting as a middleman, helping nurses find suitable jobs and handle the application process. HealthTrust aimed to simplify this workflow through the use of a mobile application that would empower nurses to manage their own opportunities, allowing them to browse, apply for, and prepare for shifts independently, with minimal intervention.

Given that many nurses travel across the U.S. to work in different medical centers, a mobile-first solution was critical for enabling access anywhere, anytime.

My role

As the lead UX designer on this project, I worked closely with the Product Manager and Product Owner to define the project scope, set research goals, and guide the design direction from concept to high-fidelity prototype.

Process

To kick off the project, we conducted discovery calls with customers to understand current pain points in the nurse job application workflow. I also researched competitive products across healthcare and other gig-economy industries to identify patterns and opportunities.

The design process included:

  • Creating early wireframes and user flows to map the ideal end-to-end experience

  • Designing and refining mobile-first UI patterns tailored to the needs of traveling nurses

  • Validating design iterations through user testing sessions with real per diem nurses

As part of the validation process, we ran usability sessions with users across a broad spectrum of tech familiarity. These sessions gave valuable insights into the clarity, accessibility, and simplicity of the app.

Solution

The result was Go HWS Mobile, a dedicated mobile app designed to give nurses direct control over their work search and application process.

Key features included:

  • Personalized profiles where nurses could upload licenses, certifications, and other credentials

  • Filtered job search based on criteria like location, shift type, and availability

  • Detailed job descriptions including shift timing, location, requirements, and next steps

  • One-tap application, allowing nurses to apply directly through the app without needing to contact HealthTrust

By removing friction and middle steps, the app offered a faster, more empowering user experience for nurses on the move.

Challenges

A few core challenges shaped the design process:

  • Designing for a non-technical audience: Many of the app’s users had limited experience with mobile apps or digital tools. This required a clear, intuitive interface with minimal learning curve.

  • Geographic and device variability: Nurses might use different devices and operate in areas with limited connectivity. The mobile experience had to be performant and responsive across varying contexts.

  • Building for autonomy: Replacing the middleman meant the app needed to guide users through the job selection and application process in a seamless and trustworthy way.

One memorable moment came during a user testing session with an older participant who struggled to set up Zoom and never managed to share his screen. Despite this, he described the app as incredibly user-friendly and appreciated how well it supported someone like him.

Impact

Although I left Bullhorn before development of the app was completed, Go HWS Mobile went on to launch publicly. Since then, it has been (in 2024):

  • Downloaded over 5,000 times on Google Play

  • Received over 1,500 positive reviews on the Apple App Store

These early adoption figures reflect a promising reception from the target audience.

Reflection

This project deepened my understanding of:

  • Designing mobile-first experiences for users who are constantly on the go

  • Crafting solutions for high-impact, real-world workflows in the healthcare space

  • Advocating for usability and accessibility in contexts where users may be less digitally fluent

It also reinforced the importance of validating with diverse users early and often, especially when your product must support autonomy in high-stakes environments like healthcare staffing.

Let’s connect!

Send me a message or connect on LinkedIn if you want to get in touch.