YEREVAN, Armenia — As part of their Community and Public Health Nursing course, students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program of the American University of Armenia (AUA) visited three community centers to meet with beneficiaries and present health-related topics. To prepare, the students consulted with the heads of the centers to understand their needs and services, mutually agreeing on the presentation topics.
On November 25, four BSN students, Janna Misakyan (BSN ’26), Liana Danielyan (BSN ’26), Lilit Ayvazian (BSN ’26), and Kristine Soghomonyan (BSN ’26), delivered a presentation on hypertension for the beneficiaries of the Mission Armenia Organization in Nork Marash. Prior to the presentation, the students talked with Health Service Coordinator Ashot Sargsyan and the nurses to learn more about the center, the services, the beneficiaries, and the issues they face. After familiarizing themselves with the center and its activities, the students engaged with the beneficiaries to identify their educational needs.
The presentation on hypertension covered the risk factors, management, and the importance of adhering to prescribed medications. The students also taught senior-adults attending the center how to measure their blood pressure, emphasizing the correct method and optimal timing for measurement. As a gesture, they gifted the center a sphygmomanometer. They also shared some snacks with the attendees and answered their questions.
On the same day, three BSN students, Kristine Avedisyan (BSN ’26), Gohar Bejanyan (BSN ’26), and Varduhi Balasanyan (BSN ’26) visited the Oghak organization to conduct a session on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). After presenting on the importance of CPR and demonstrating the proper technique , the students provided the audience with an opportunity to practice on manikins. The participants expressed their gratitude for this hands-on experience. Following the session, the students engaged with the beneficiaries of the organization to learn more about them. They also had the chance to talk to the founders of the center, Vera Sisserian and Gohar Kandaharian, who shared insights about the organization’s mission and vision, beneficiaries, activities, and funding.
On December 2, three BSN students Arpine Shahinyan (BSN ’26), Knarik Aristakesyan (BSN ’26), and Meri Hovhanissyan (BSN ’26), visited the day center of the Association of Healthcare and Assistance to Older People. After engaging with the beneficiaries of the center, the students delivered a presentation on Medication Safety and Management at home. The audience showed great interest, asked numerous questions, and shared their own experiences. They were provided a guide on what questions to ask their doctors to obtain essential information, as well as a tool to record the name of their medications, dosage, timing, and purpose. After socializing with the beneficiaries, the students talked with Lilit Muradyan, the social programs manager, who shared insights on the organization, its activities, and the conferences they organize.
The visits allowed the students to gain a deeper understanding of community centers in Armenia. Through conversations with the beneficiaries and the heads of the organizations, they became familiar with various approaches to addressing the needs of vulnerable groups. The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the knowledge shared and the meaningful interactions with the BSN students.
The AUA Turpanjian College of Health Sciences works actively to improve population health and health services in Armenia and the region through interdisciplinary education and development of health professionals to be leaders in public health, nursing, health services research and evaluation, and health care delivery and management.
