In this edition of the WOCN® Society Member Spotlight, meet Tashia Watkins, MSN, RN, CWOCN, CFCN, LMT, a passionate and resourceful WOC nurse from Salem, Ohio. Tashia’s journey into wound, ostomy, and continence care was inspired by the mentorship of a fellow nurse and fueled by her desire to make a lasting impact on patients and her community.
Getting Started in WOC Nursing
After earning her RN license and working on a medical-surgical floor, Tashia quickly realized she wanted to specialize. “After a few years, I recognized my desire to specialize so that I could become an expert and really impact patients in my community,” she said. Tashia’s interest in wound care grew through exposure to Infectious Disease specialists and mentorship from Marilyn, a knowledgeable wound and ostomy nurse. “I admired her and strived to gain the knowledge and expertise she had,” said Tashia. Marilyn became Tashia’s preceptor and guide to certification, making an unforgettable impact on her career. “Some of the most fun trips I have taken were with local wound care nurses to the WOCN Mideast Chapter conferences.”
A Passion for Patient-Centered Care
Tashia believes that healthcare is about treating the whole person with respect. “Healthcare is for everybody. It’s an opportunity to meet different people, get to know them and their beliefs, and make a treatment goal with them. You meet people where they are, not where you think they should be.” This mindset drives her clinical practice and helps her form meaningful partnerships with patients through compassion and education.
Joining the WOCN Society
Tashia joined the WOCN Society in 2016 while enrolled in the Cleveland Clinic R.B. Turnbull, Jr. MS WOC Nursing Education Program. She was drawn in by the student discount, membership benefits, and opportunity to network with other professionals. “I have learned so much valuable information as a WOCN Society member. From listening to podcasts to attending national and local conferences, the cost of membership is worth every penny,” she said. “The membership is invaluable, whether you are new or experienced in this profession.”
Finding a Community of Support
For Tashia, the WOCN Society is more than a resource—it’s a professional home. “My favorite part of the WOCN Society is the community,” she shared. She credits fellow members of the Mideast Chapter for their generosity, encouragement, and willingness to share knowledge. “I’ve asked questions in the online Communities and I’m always amazed by the huge response I get.” She also values the Society’s world-class education: “We have the best speakers—Janice, Joyce, Mikel, Dea, Laurie, Catherine, Dorthy, Stephanie. I mean, wow! We really do have the best members at the WOCN Society.”
Making a Difference Beyond the Bedside
Tashia previously served as the only certified WOC nurse at an acute care facility, where she made a meaningful impact through her specialized knowledge and dedication to patient-centered care. From recommending specialty beds to selecting wound dressings and ostomy supplies that reduced both cost and complications, her work helped improve outcomes across the board. During that time, she also launched and led an ostomy support group. “They taught me just as much as I taught them. It was so much fun, and I enjoyed our time together every month,” she said. She hopes to resume those meetings in the future.
Memorable Patient Moments
Tashia really enjoyed working with ostomy patients. Word of Tashia’s expertise continues to spread. “I’m always amazed how people hear about me and the services I provide!” She enjoys providing one-on-one education and advice to her patients and finds the work deeply rewarding. “I had a female patient in her 90’s bring me a jar of homemade relish that she canned with her daughters as a gift for helping her with her ostomy appliance. She was so sweet!” said Tashia.
Looking Ahead
Tashia recently graduated with her MSN from Kent State University and successfully passed the AANP exam. “I chose this path so I could work at a facility where I could get to know my patients and their families,” she said. Currently seeking a nurse practitioner position in a variety of roles, including outpatient ostomy or wound care clinics and care for nursing home residents.
For the past few years, she has received the Mideast Chapter’s Advanced Practice Scholarship. “I’m so extremely grateful for the support I have received. My goal has been to pay for graduate school without taking out student loans… The scholarships I have received have helped me make that goal a possibility.”
Life Outside of Nursing
When she’s not working or studying, Tashia enjoys the outdoors with her husband, family, and friends—hiking, fishing, kayaking, and buggy riding. She also unwinds with Friday night cosmic bowling with her parents and regular spa days with her favorite esthetician. At home, she relaxes with her two cats, Benji and Claire. In addition to being a nurse, Tashia is also a licensed massage therapist. “I specialize in Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, and prenatal massage,” she said. Always eager to learn, she plans to expand her skills to include cupping, manual lymph drainage, and Thai massage.
Thank you, Tashia
Tashia’s dedication to compassionate care, commitment to lifelong learning, and active involvement in the WOC nursing community embody the spirit of excellence in wound, ostomy, and continence nursing.