Leeanne Orban

Leeanne Orban is a Clinical nurse specialist (RNP) and clinical team leader, primary healthcare. She is a student of our Master of Nursing Science.

The desire for a new challenge led Leeanne Orban (Ngāti Raukawa, Rangitāne, Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tahu) to study Nursing Science, but it was the courses on offer that piqued her interest and convinced her to take the plunge.

“I knew if I wanted to advance my career in nursing I needed some postgraduate study under my belt, and once I started looking at the courses offered I could see how they could influence my nursing in a positive way.”

After starting her degree, she discovered the benefits went beyond advancing her career.

“I now have a huge network of the most amazing people to call on for support and advice.

“I’m very proud of getting to the end of my Master’s degree. It’s been hard, but the rewards have been tenfold,” she says.

The results of her hard work are numerous. She has secured a team leader position, become a clinical nurse specialist and a registered nurse prescriber, and is preparing to become a mātanga tapuhi (nurse practitioner). She has also been invited to speak on health-related topics at various institutions and nursing groups.

However, getting there wasn’t always easy, and she encourages anyone pursuing postgraduate study to remember a few things if things appear overwhelming.

“Take it one trimester at a time. Get support from your peers and utilise your contacts: pharmacists, doctors, other nurses, the course coordinator—they are there to help you get through.”