Monday, October 20, 2025
-
Roper Hospital nurse honored with international Pathway Nurse of the Year Award
Roper Hospital’s Donnel Jones, BSN, RN, CRRN, CBIS, has been named 2025 Pathway Nurse of the Year for Well-Being & Professional Development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The Pathway Nurse of the Year award is only given to three nurses worldwide in the categories of “Shared Decision-Making & Leadership”, “Safety & Quality” and “Well-Being & Professional Development”, a direct reflection of the six essential Pathway to Excellence standards.
The award, presented during the Magnet & Pathway Conference in Atlanta, recognizes nurses from Pathway to Excellence-designated organizations who exemplify the program’s highest standards of leadership, safety, quality and well-being in the workplace. Jones, a charge nurse at Roper Rehabilitation Hospital, was celebrated for her leadership in advancing evidence-based care, mentoring peers, fostering collaboration and creating innovative well-being initiatives that support nurse resilience.
“This recognition is not only a personal milestone, but a reflection of our extraordinary culture and team,” Jones said in her acceptance speech. “Being part of a Pathway to Excellence-designated organization has deeply shaped my growth as both a clinician and a leader.”
Jones has led several initiatives that have strengthened both patient safety and staff well-being. Through an interprofessional collaboration, she helped implement the Agitated Behavior Scale for patients with brain injuries — an evidence-based tool that allows nurses to recognize agitation early and intervene proactively. The project led to a 35 percent reduction in patient falls, a 15 percent decrease in restraint use and a measurable improvement in nurse safety and satisfaction.
Recognizing the emotional toll of healthcare work, Jones also spearheaded the creation of “Lavender Lockers” — designated wellness stations stocked with calming items and stress-relief tools to help staff recharge during difficult shifts. The simple, heartfelt project quickly became a favorite among nurses and inspired similar efforts across the hospital.
“Small, intentional acts can make a meaningful impact,” Jones said. “Our collective strength is what moves healthcare forward.”
Roper Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, Susan Bennett, MA, RN, NEA-BC, said Jones’s recognition captures the spirit of nursing excellence that defines the hospital’s team.
“Donnel embodies the compassion, professionalism and innovation that makes our nurses exceptional,” Bennett said. “She’s a role model who uplifts her colleagues and enhances care for every patient we serve.”
Roper Hospital earned its first Pathway to Excellence designation in November 2024, achieving Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s goal of all four hospitals achieving national recognition from the ANCC. The Pathway to Excellence framework focuses on creating healthy work environments built on shared decision-making, leadership, safety, quality, well-being and professional development — the very values Jones exemplifies.
Roper Hospital Nursing Excellence Program Manager, Allyson Colvin, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, nominated Jones and said the recognition underscores the system’s commitment to cultivating a culture of nursing excellence and the dedication of nursing teammates to their patients, coworkers and their profession.
“Donnel’s national recognition reinforces how our nurses are leading change, supporting one another and advancing professional practice,” Colvin said. “She represents the very best of what it means to be a Roper St. Francis Healthcare nurse. Donnel and her amazing work illustrates that there is no limit to what a nurse can do!”
In her closing remarks to over 14,000 nurses in attendance, Jones offered a challenge to her peers worldwide:
“In every shift, in every interaction, find one way to leave your patient, your team or yourself better than before. Each of us holds the pen to write the story of nursing — and it’s up to us to write it boldly.”