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Meet Cashoyna
Cashoyna Tillis is an APRN with more than two decades of nursing and leadership experience. Her purpose is clear: empowering Registered Nursing (RN) students and early-career Nurse Practitioners (NPs): guiding RN students to NCLEX success and supporting NPs through the transition into practice. With 3,000+ hours of hands-on precepting and mentorship, she turns ambition into action, guiding learners from aspiration to achievement and beyond.
Her approach blends heart with evidence, transforming mindsets to conquer burnout, ease anxiety, and elevate professional joy. She shares candid stories of wins and missteps to spark honesty, laughter, resilience, and lasting growth. When she speaks, lives shift—and careers accelerate.
As a sought-after keynote speaker, Cashoyna has addressed university audiences and professional organizations. She designs personalized coaching programs for students that lead to NCLEX success and serves as a mentor to nurse practitioners navigating the first five years of their careers and transitions.
An unwavering advocate for professional identity, mental wellness, leadership, and inclusive practice, Cashoyna champions diversity, belonging, and empowerment in healthcare. She will equip you with the mindset and skills to navigate boldly and prepare to lead.
Prepare to Navigate Boldly—with unwavering confidence, enduring strength, and lasting success.
Speaking Topics
Novice Transition
Into Practice: Tips for Success
Master classes and boards have been passed. Now what? This discussion is designed to build your confidence and set a solid foundation to build upon as a new graduate. Students will cover multiple topics related to mindset management, adult learning, managing a schedule and team, setting weekly professional goals, and others. Expect students to walk away feeling more prepared and less anxious about transitioning into practice.
(1-2 hours)
Customizable to meet the needs of your students.
Leading with Confidence as a New NP
Your first NP position has been secured. You are now an NP leading staff, guiding patients and managing an office. We will discuss various topics including setting expectations, managing conflict, and showing up confidently. Students will walk away prepared to lead confidently in their work new role.
(1-2 hours)
Customizable to meet the needs of your students.
Minimizing Burnout and Maintaining Confidence
Burnout impacts confidence. Medical professionals work on a continuum of dealing with drastically changing situations. Confidence can shift in a moment. The impact of burnout has heavier implications as a provider. This discussion has tips to prevent, identify, and overcome burnout. It also discusses how to remain confident as a provider. Students will acquire knowledge to recognize burnout, when their confidence has taken a hit, and tips to overcome both.
(1-2 hours)
Customizable to meet the needs of your students.
The Roller Coaster Years: Navigating the First Five Years of Your Career
The first five years of practice are a winding road. The new NP is learning how they practice, navigating transitions, and dealing with “imposter syndrome.” This discussion is designed to prepare and guide novice nurse practitioners through the tumultuous waters to get to a firm foundation whenever the navigation gets foggy. Students will walk away with anticipatory guidance regarding the first five years of practice along with helpful strategies.
(1-4 hours)
Customizable to meet the needs of your students.
Deanna Echavez-Doria,
APRN, MSN, CPNP-PC, CLC
Ms. Tillis offered me mentorship when I was a new PNP. I reached out to her asking for a few tips on how to succeed in the clinic she once practiced in (which at the time was my new job) and she took time out of her busy schedule, offering me guidance that helped me in my own practice. That support meant so much to me as a new NP trying to navigate my new role. Thank you so much, Ms. Tillis!
Lauren Segura,
MSN, APRN, FNP-C
I reached out to Cashoyna in 2018 hoping to get my pediatric hours for FNP school complete. I was in need of 90 hours and man was I blessed to cross paths with her. Cashoyna was such an amazing teacher and mentor. Her knowledge and willingness to teach was inspiring. I learned so much from her and she was such a joy to be around. Her attitude and positivity kept me going when I felt that I didn’t have much more to give. I would recommend connecting with her if you have the opportunity. She is a fountain of knowledge, encouragement and such a phenomenal clinician. The kids loved her and she always made the parents feel at ease. She is compassionate and a trustworthy mentor. I will forever look up to her and hope you can get to know her as well!
Mariya Tankimovich,
APRN, FNP-C, CNE
Cashoyna Tillis, MSN, FNP, is an exceptional leader in her field providing excellent patient care and mentoring new generations of nurse practitioners. Cashoyna demonstrated strong mentoring and coaching abilities during her FNP program years and continued to develop necessary skills as a clinical faculty precepting FNP students at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth. Cashoyna continues to carry her passion for helping new nurse practitioners to continue developing skills necessary for practice success.
Former Co-Director FNP Program at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, Houston
Tameka Simmons,
APRN, FNP-C
I had the opportunity to utilize Cashoyna’s expertise on three of her speaking topics. As I prepared to transition into practice, Cashoyna assisted me with my resume and interviewing skills. After the interview was a success, she provided me with much needed insight into contract and salary negotiations with my newfound organization. During my orientation, I was overcome with a lot of anxiety wondering if they hired the wrong person. Cashoyna reassured me that this was a normal emotion and coached me regarding the imposter syndrome. She shared that one strategy for preventing burnout in the future was simply giving grace to myself. There is so much knowledge and wisdom in this lady. However, if she does not have the answer, she will find it for you. Thank you Cashoyna for being that bridge that carried me over to success!
