Hi, I'm Kimberly Coston,
and I'm a nurse innovator.
I make things that make people happy.
patients and nurses.
</About Me>
I am a critical care nurse with a keen eye for systemic inefficiencies and a heart for innovation. Healthcare colleagues often remark on my unconventional approach – “Why not computer science?” “Engineering seems more your thing.” “You're a natural entrepreneur.” But the most probing question I grapple with is, “Why are you a nurse?” While my responses have often been lighthearted deflections, they masked my growing realization: my true passion lies at the intersection of healthcare and innovation. Confronted daily with the challenges and intricacies of patient care, I've developed a deep understanding of its inner workings and, more importantly, its potential for transformative change.
My path isn’t the traditional route to engineering; it’s been paved with real-life experiences and self-taught skills. From creating small-scale solutions to improve patient care to conceptualizing larger systemic changes, my nursing background has catalyzed my engineering aspirations. Each day in the hospital has fueled my desire to blend the empathy and insight gained from nursing with the innovative potential of design engineering.
My goal is to harness the power of technology and design to revolutionize healthcare, making it more efficient, accessible, and patient-centered. This portfolio showcases my journey and the skills I’ve cultivated along the way, illustrating why a nurse like me is not just an anomaly in the field of engineering, but a necessary perspective for its evolution.
HTML
3DP
Python
Arduino
HTML
UI/UX
3DP
Python
AI
Unity
Jump rope community website
Empathize
The inspiration for the website emerged from a national jump rope weekend that was nothing short of magical. As the sport gained popularity on social media, the sense of community was palpable, but so was the realization of our scattered connections. With so many enthusiasts hidden within the vastness of online platforms, finding one another, even within the same town, was like searching for needles in a digital haystack. I envisioned a solution that would cut through the noise, a dedicated space where proximity and passion could intersect, making every member of our growing community visible and reachable.
“Jump roping's huge now, but it’s weird. We're all doing our thing alone. How cool would it be to easily find others and just start jumping together?”
"The jump rope weekend was amazing – it's like we were all one big family. Now I'm back home wishing I could find jump ropers nearby to keep the vibe going. Why can't it be this easy to connect and meet up all the time?"
“It's ironic — as our community grows online, the harder it seems to actually meet someone who shares this passion. “
Define
The central challenge became evident: jump ropers from all corners of the world had no singular platform to truly connect. There was a distinct lack of a space where they could locate each other, share experiences, and coordinate real-world meet-ups. Addressing this gap meant creating a tool that not only mapped our community but also strengthened the bonds that tied us together.
Ideate
Initially, my solution was a simple Google Doc where jump ropers could list their names and locations, but it quickly became apparent that this method was cumbersome and not user-friendly. It lacked the interactive and communal feel essential for our community. This led me to a pivotal realization: what if we had a dynamic website with an interactive world map? I started sketching out a more sophisticated platform, one where users could not only add their information easily but also visually navigate the global jump rope community. The idea was to create an intuitive, engaging space that reflected the vibrancy and connectivity we all craved.
Prototype
The prototyping phase was a journey from abstract ideas to tangible reality. I began by crafting wireframes, laying the foundation of the site. With each iteration, the design evolved – more intuitive, more engaging. A world map became the heart of the site, surrounded by user-friendly features that made profile creation and interaction seamless.
Test
When the site finally went live, its reception exceeded my expectations. Users from around the globe began pinning their locations, connecting with fellow jump ropers, and planning gatherings. Feedback poured in – suggestions, compliments, stories of connections made. This input was invaluable, driving continuous tweaks and improvements to the platform.
Vein
finder
Empathize
As a nurse, I’ve frequently encountered the challenge of achieving timely venous access in patients. These daily experiences underscored a critical gap in care: the scarcity of effective vein visualization tools, which often leads to multiple, painful needle insertions. Moreover, the existing reliance on an IV access team — with their ultrasound equipment often hours away — further motivated my pursuit of a more immediate, accessible solution. Driven by a personal mission to improve patient experiences and care efficiency, I aimed to create a device to address this need.
Define
Nurses in our hospital lacked an immediate, cost-effective means to locate veins for IV placement, especially in patients where traditional methods were inadequate. The goal was to design an accessible vein finder that could provide quick and reliable vein visualization, thereby minimizing patient discomfort from multiple needle insertions and reducing the wait times for IV placement.
Ideate
I explored various technologies and methods that could lead to a more effective vein finding solution. I considered the use of different light spectrums, portable design elements, and cost-effective materials. The focus was on creating a prototype that was simple enough to be used by any nurse, without the need for extensive training, yet sophisticated enough to improve vein detection. This stage was crucial in balancing innovation with practicality and affordability.
Prototype
The initial phase of prototyping involved creating a simple vein illuminator using transillumination technology with near-infrared light. Although this first model was cost-effective, it proved less efficient in practice. Learning from this, I developed a more advanced prototype using NIR technology combined with a Raspberry Pi and infrared camera. This setup projected the captured image onto a monitor, where a Python script enhanced the image in real time to distinguish the veins. This second prototype represented a significant improvement in functionality and effectiveness, marking a key advancement in the project's development.
Test
Due to a tight 30-day timeline, testing of the advanced prototype was brief but encouraging. I was able to conduct a limited number of tests with my colleagues, focusing on immediate functionality and effectiveness. Despite the short testing period, the prototype demonstrated its potential by effectively visualizing veins in these initial trials. The positive results, although based on a small sample, were promising and indicative of the device's capability to enhance vein detection in clinical practice. This brief testing phase provided a snapshot of the prototype's practical utility and laid the groundwork for more extensive testing and development in the future.
Rubik’s cube Storage Display
Empathize
As a Rubik’s cube enthusiast, I found myself dissatisfied with the available options for displaying my collection. I noticed that others in the Rubik's cube community faced a similar dilemma, often resorting to stacking cubes or cluttering bookshelves. This observation sparked my desire to create an aesthetic and functional display that would honor the individuality of each cube.
“I’d love a display that makes my cubes stand out, rather than just storing them in a bin.”
“It’s a hassle every time i want to find a specific cube. There’s no order to how they’re stored now.”
“A neat display would be really cool. I’m proud of my collection and i’d love to show the uniqueness of each cube.”
Define
The core problem was clear: There was no dedicated display solution that catered to the quantity of Rubik’s cubes in a collector's arsenal. I aimed to design a stand that was not only functional in preventing damage and saving space, but also aesthetically pleasing, enhancing the visual appeal of the colorful cubes.
Ideate
I brainstormed several designs, considering the dimensions of different cubes, potential materials, and the versatility of the stand. Scalability was a crucial aspect, allowing collectors the flexibility to expand their display as their collection grew. This stage involved balancing practicality with creativity, ensuring the final design would be both functional for enthusiasts and visually appealing.
Prototype
Using CAD, I crafted a prototype that incorporated a modular system with slots for different cubes. It was important that the stand be sturdy yet lightweight. After several iterations, I refined the design to balance practicality with a sleek, modern look.
Test
I tested the stand with my collection, taking note of the ease of access, stability, and overall display quality. I shared images on social media and Rubik's cube forums, gathering feedback from other speed cubers. Their insights led to a few tweaks, such as adjusting slot angles for a slight upward tilt and enhancing the locking mechanism between modules.
AI + VR AGGRESSIVE PATIENT
DE-ESCALATION TRAINING
Project Overview
At the Nurse Hack4Health Hackathon, our interdisciplinary Duke Health nursing team competed in the ‘Workplace Violence’ challenge. The competition was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, and SONSIEL with an award of $150,000 to the first place team. Tasked with catalyzing a healthcare environment where nurses and patients thrive, our project distinguished itself among 600+ participants, securing us a spot as one of the ten team finalists.
My Role
As the designated project team lead, I was responsible for managing deadlines and delegating tasks to ensure project milestones were met. I led the AI development with designing, programming, and implementing the interactive AI scenarios and feedback for our prototype. While I contributed to the VR component alongside my colleagues, my focus was on integrating the AI seamlessly within it. I also had the opportunity to contribute creatively by designing the pitch deck and co-delivering our presentation.
Define
The Joint Commission introduced new workplace violence (WPV) prevention requirements in 2022 in response to the rising trend of patient-to-staff violence in healthcare settings. We recognized that most healthcare systems predominantly employ reactive measures and physical security to address WPV. These, while crucial, fall short in offering comprehensive staff training for effectively preventing and de-escalating situations before they become violent.
Ideate
We explored various solutions, including role-play exercises, workshops, and digital simulations. After evaluating each option's feasibility and potential impact, the concept of an AI-powered VR training platform emerged as the most promising. It combined the realism necessary for effective learning with the scalability required for widespread implementation, and most importantly, it integrated iterative learning, allowing the AI component to adapt and evolve with each user interaction for a tailored training experience.
Prototype
We prototyped a training platform that combined virtual reality and artificial intelligence to equip healthcare professionals with essential verbal de-escalation skills. The solution features three key integrations: immersive VR simulations for realistic practice, AI-generated patient scenarios for dynamic interaction, and real-time AI-powered feedback for immediate guidance.
Immersive VR Simulations:
Utilizing the Unity engine, we created realistic healthcare environments, offering staff a safe space to practice handling aggressive patient scenarios. This high-fidelity simulation ensures that staff can refine their responses without real-world risks.
Virtual Patient Scenarios:
We utilized Chat GPT to dynamically generate realistic patient dialogues.. We integrated APIs from speech recognition software (OpenAI Whisper) and text-to-speech software (ElevenLabs Whisper), to ensure interactions were as realistic as possible.
Real-Time AI-Powered Feedback:
During interactive sessions, our AI algorithm analyzes the communication strategies used by staff in real-time, utilizing ML to assess and guide de-escalation efforts. It delivers instantaneous, data-driven feedback, reinforcing successful communication techniques while also offering evidence-based suggestions to refine and optimize interaction approaches.
Python script draft
Prompt for patient scenario draft
Test
Our prototype was trialed within our team and by selected colleagues who volunteered to provide initial feedback. This small-scale, in-house testing was crucial for identifying immediate improvements and for validating the core functionality of our VR simulations and AI integration. The feedback was encouraging and highlighted the platform's potential to enhance staff training. While the scope of testing was limited due to resource constraints, these preliminary evaluations were essential stepping stones for future development.
Initial demo of colleague demonstrating ineffective communication with the AI-powered patient
VR proof of concept developed by Duke OIT & Duke MEng Students
Nurse Pay Transparency
Empathize
In conversations with nursing colleagues, I consistently heard frustrations about opaque pay structures and disparities. Many shared experiences of discovering pay inequities only after years in a role. This highlighted a clear need for greater transparency in nursing compensation.
“I've been a registered nurse for over five years, and it's always been a taboo to talk about our salaries. I found out much later that I was earning less than some newer nurses, which was really disheartening. A platform where we could openly share and compare our pay would be a game-changer.”
"In my last job, I had no idea if my salary was competitive or fair. It's frustrating because we don't have a clear picture of what we should be earning, and it feels like we're just left to guess or hope we're being paid fairly."
"I remember feeling so lost when I first started as a nurse. There was no way to know if I was negotiating my salary effectively or if I was being underpaid. More transparency in our profession is definitely needed."
Define
The core issue was the lack of accessible, reliable information about nurse salaries and workplace conditions. This absence not only perpetuates pay disparities but also hinders nurses from making informed career decisions. A solution was needed to bring transparency and empowerment to nursing professionals.
Ideate
I brainstormed a platform where nurses could anonymously share salary data and employer reviews. Key features would include secure data submission, clear visualizations of pay scales, and a review system to rate employers on various criteria, all designed with user privacy in mind.
Prototype
An initial prototype of the website was developed, focusing on user-friendly design and data security. The prototype featured a straightforward interface for submitting and viewing salary information, as well as a section for detailed employer reviews.
Test
During the testing phase, we invited a select group of nurses to use the website and provide feedback. They interacted with key features such as anonymously submitting their salary information, browsing existing data, and reading and writing employer reviews. Their input was invaluable in assessing the site's user interface, data accuracy, and overall utility. We closely monitored how intuitively users could navigate the site, the clarity of the data presentation, and the perceived value of the employer reviews. This feedback highlighted areas for improvement and confirmed aspects of the site that were meeting user needs effectively. The insights gained in this stage were critical in refining the website to better serve the nursing community, ensuring it was not only a tool for transparency but also user-friendly and informative.
