NURSE PRACTITIONER
Hassan Saada , DNP , APRN-CNP , AGNP-C
Urology Nurse Practitioner , LGBTQ + Veteran Care Coordinator , Providence VA Medical Center
Why did you choose nursing as a career ? I chose nursing as a second career . Prior to my nursing career , I attended music school for cello performance and was a server in the restaurant industry . I was at a point in my life where I found my career unfulfilling and lacked direction . I yearned for a job where I could find a sense of purpose beyond serving my own interests or the interests of a company alone . Improving the lives of others , especially those affected by social inequity , has always been an interest of mine . In this setting , I thought nursing would be an ideal fit . I didn ’ t realize , though , how powerful the nursing role truly is until I got some experience at my first position at Massachusetts General Hospital . Nursing offers the opportunity to be a vital change agent as a healer , educator and advocate in the myriad roles the profession has to offer . It is a truly expansive role ; therefore , it takes time to grow into it — a process which is still ongoing .
What makes your job different from a traditional nursing setting ? I proudly serve veterans who are a unique patient population with specialized needs . I consider VA clinicians specialists in this regard because there are significant implications for practice that must be considered when approaching this population . There is a greater prevalence of PTSD from combat or military sexual trauma , psychiatric comorbidities , traumatic injuries and conditions related to exposures to chemical or radioactive agents . Not only does this require specialized training and experience , but also a holistic approach that takes all these factors into account when considering assessment and treatment , which is very consistent with NP training in general . In this sense , I feel this role is ideal for NPs because they can truly practice the full extent of their license and abilities .
What are you most proud of in your career ? I am most proud of improving care for LGBTQ + veterans . As the LGBTQ + Veteran Care Coordinator , I am part of a team that ensures that LGBTQ + veterans receive necessary and quality care . During my doctoral research at the University of Rhode Island , my focus was on improving care for transgender and gender-diverse veterans , a population that is particularly affected by health care inequities — especially when you consider the intersectionality with being a veteran or , perhaps , a member of an ethnic or other minority group . As a result , I implemented an education program for clinicians to promote a culturally sensitive and clinically appropriate approach when treating this population . The Human Rights Campaign rates health care facilities on health equity for LGBTQ + persons with a measure called the Health Equality Index . As a result of this program , I was able to increase our score to the maximum of 100 .
RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l SEPTEMBER 2023 73