Image description: photo of Tasha, a white person with blue eyes and short brown hair, they are smiling. In the background is a green field and faded out light blue sky.
Hi, I’m Tasha Searles! I’m really glad you’re here, and excited to meet you! A little about me…
I’m a Queer, Autistic, ADHDer with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome + some other commonly co-occurring conditions. Originally from Indiana, I now reside in Portland, Oregon with my two rambunctious cats. I enjoy spending time outdoors, reading, learning, and finding new ways to be creative.
Professionally, I am trained as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and have been a nurse for over a decade —mostly working with individuals impacted by chronic or complex health conditions. I started in diabetes care and became a certified diabetes educator, so much of my work has been related to diabetes and nutrition. I also spent many years as a Nurse Navigator helping clients navigate the healthcare system. My personal health journey, and realization of the huge gaps in care, led me to shift my professional practice to serve others on similar journeys as my own.
I’ve been told I’m inquisitive and “a very good detective”. Being curious, digging deep, and thinking outside of the box (all while keeping the whole picture in mind) are really my favorite things in this life.
My style in working with patients is as a consultant & coach. I ask hard questions, help you with some creative problem solving, provide information, connect you to resources, and truly listen. I believe you are the expert in your own self. I aim to empower you, provide hope, and help you to use your own innate wisdom to live your best life!
It can be hard to know if a provider will be a good fit. Something that helps me is when providers share what kinds of resources shape their practice & worldview, so I’ve included that here.
I’m also happy to answer any questions you may have prior to scheduling, just complete the prospective patient form and I will respond via secure email.
If I turn out to not be the best fit I will do my best to provide other recommendations!
Education
Master of Science in Nursing Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Indiana University
Associate of Science in Nursing Registered Nurse Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
Bachelor of Science Agriculture Economics Minors Art & Design and International Studies Purdue University
Certifications
Board Certified Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (AGCNS-BC)
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
Basic Life Support (BLS)
Professional Licenses
Oregon -Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Clinical Nurse Specialist 201600526CNS-PP
Oregon -Registered Nurse 201509298RN
Washington -Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Clinical Specialist AP60678136
Washington -Registered Nurse RN60678135
Continuing Education
Ongoing learning is key to providing you the best possible care, and a requirement of my licensures & certifications. Below are a few recent trainings I have attended.
Ehlers-Danlos Society ECHO Genetics & Genomics February 2023- November 2023
POTS Providers Course January 2023
Ehlers-Danlos Society ECHO Clinicians program September-December 2022
The Many Manifestations of Mast Cell Activation Summit 2022
Ehlers-Danlos Society Global Learning Conference 2022, 2023
Dysautonomia International Annual Conference 2022
HeartMath Clinician training program 2021
ADHD CHADD Conference 2021
National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Annual Conference 2019
About all the letters after my name…
or, as many people have asked, “what’s all this alphabet soup?”
MSN: Master of Science in Nursing (graduate degree)
APRN: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
AGCNS-BC: Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Board Certified
CDCES: Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (until recently this was called Certified Diabetes Educator/ CDE)
(see FAQ for more information about APRNs & Clinical Nurse Specialists)
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