Donna Washburn, DNP, RN, APRN (CNS), ACNS-BC, AOCNS

Bio

Dr. Donna Washburn is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) practicing as a clinical nurse specialist since 2006. She has been an online nursing faculty instructor since 2007. She recently joined Regent as an assistant professor and DNP program interim director for the School of Nursing in the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Washburn has been a registered nurse since 1989, with practice experience in various inpatient and outpatient roles, primarily in adult oncology. In addition to teaching, Dr. Washburn currently works in oncological research for a company that collects and analyzes oncology patient data worldwide to improve cancer diagnoses and treatment.

Dr. Washburn’s doctoral research project and most recent publications centered on screening oncology patients for barriers to medication adherence. Dr. Washburn has also been a contributing author in a case study featuring treatment based on genetic profiling and an upcoming advanced gerontology certification review chapter focusing on cancer prevention. Dr. Washburn interpreted the FDA and DHH standards of practice into a set of written guidelines for the local cancer center, ensuring day-to-day consistency with the standards of ethical conduct of clinical research. During the pandemic, Dr. Washburn coordinated some of the first trials of local expanded-access use of convalescent plasma treatment in cooperation with the Red Cross and Mayo Clinic in 2020 for critically ill COVID-19 patients. Dr. Washburn also has fourteen years of experience serving on the local IRB and other committee/board experience on the hospital ethics committee; Nursing Research Council; Cancer Committee; and Tumor Boards. Dr. Washburn is dually board-certified by ANCC as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the acute care of the adult and by ONCC as an Adult Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist. Dr. Washburn is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, the American Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Sigma Theta Tau.

Dr. Washburn lives in Virginia, where she enjoys gardening, birdwatching, traveling and hiking with her husband. She and her husband have two living children and three grandchildren. Spending time together with family is always a highlight of every week. They also enjoy the constant companionship of a lab-mix rescue dog. Dr. Washburn gave her life to the Savior Jesus Christ at the young age of twelve, and she and her husband attend a local church where she serves in the children’s ministry and the nursery — cuddling precious new babies while their moms and dads attend church. She has also recently volunteered with the Medical Reserve Corp to provide vaccinations in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“What a blessing to teach for a Christian university where one of my greatest pleasures and privileges is to guide students in developing an advanced knowledge of holistic care that integrates a Christian worldview into the multi-faceted nursing profession.”