Hospice Nurse – Roanoke
Donna Mitchell, RN
Joined: March 2016
“Shortly after becoming a nurse in 1996, I specialized as a cardiovascular nurse, eventually worked as a travel nurse for several years. When people ask me how I got into hospice, the truth is that hospice got into me! My father was terminally ill at the time and I believe God knew that this change was what I needed to get through that time in my life.
As a hospice nurse, I’m able to spend more time at the bedside, really getting to know patients and families and earning their trust. It’s important that my patients know that if they are uncomfortable in any way, I will stay with them until we work through the problem – whether it is pain, anxiety or a family member struggling to let go.”
Donna initially joined us a case manager. In early 2019, she became our weekend on-call nurse in Roanoke and helps out taking call some weekday nights as well. Donna was recognized as an Outstanding Nurse in Roanoke by Our Health magazine in June of 2019. The honor is well-deserved!
Originally from North Carolina and a long-time resident of East Tennessee, Donna frequently visits her mom (in NC) and daughter, son and granddaughters (in TN). She met her husband, Joe, in 2013 while on a section hike that passed through Catawba, where he owns the Four Pines hostel. They married in 2016.
When not taking care of our patients, Donna spends her time helping Joe with the hostel and tending to their chickens, ducks, dogs and cats. As a seasoned section hiker, so far Donna has completed 1029 miles of the 2200 mile Appalachian Trail. There’s no doubt that she’ll complete it someday!
