Leigh White’s long and varied nursing career has been constantly fuelled for her passion to learn.
Leigh started her nursing journey at Napier Hospital and forged many friendships in the nearby nursing hostel.
Eager to begin her career in the Emergency Department, she was told to first “go and work in all the wards to get a good skills base”. This advice stood her in good stead for her diverse career.
Leigh notched up 15 years as an Emergency Department nurse, both in Napier and Hastings Hospitals, before seeking out change. She has also held policy and strategic roles at the DHB, worked in aged residential care and delivered primary care at Greenmeadows Family Health Centre and Hastings Health Centre.
“Every time I change I challenge myself with new learning,” she says.
Last year Leigh returned to working at Taradale and Elmwood Masonic, this time as the Director of Clinical Services.
“I find working with older people very fulfilling, they have great values and beliefs and they always have a story to tell. You develop a strong relationship with the person in your care and you really get to know them and their family/whānau.”
Leigh also has considerable governance experience, including former roles on the DHB clinical and consumer councils and Hawke’s Bay nursing and midwifery council. She now sits on the Health Hawke’s Bay Board.
Leigh played a key role in facilitating the support to local aged residential care during the COVID-19 lockdown. There was a lot of planning from having adequate PPE gear, to protecting the health of vulnerable residents and staff. She says she and the Taradale and Elmwood Masonic teams “weathered the storm” and became very handy on Skype.
“It’s been wonderful watching families reconnect with their loved ones post COVID,” she says.
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