Nursing Conference Promotes Evidence-Based Practice

YEREVAN, Armenia — On May 23, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted a nursing conference titled “New Era in Nursing,” bringing together over 200 nurses from healthcare institutions across Armenia.

The conference was co-organized by the newly established BSN Association of Armenia, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the AUA Turpanjian College of Health Sciences (TCHS), the Armenian Union of Oncology, Hematology, and Palliative Care Nurses, and the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR). The event marked the first major initiative of the BSN Association of Armenia and reflected the shared commitment of collaborating organizations in advancing nursing education, professional development, and healthcare quality in Armenia.

The primary aim of the conference was to disseminate contemporary nursing knowledge, encourage evidence-based practice, foster professional networking, and support the continuous professional development of nurses across the country. Upon full participation, attendees received 8 Continuing Professional Development credits.

The conference commenced with welcoming remarks delivered by Dr. Varduhi Petrosyan, dean of TCHS, Presidents of the participating nursing associations Narine Sultanyan (BSN ’25) and Vera Mkhitaryan, Maria Aleksandrova (BSN ’25), chair of the BSN Association of Armenia Education Committee, FAR deputy country director and healthcare program director Hambardzum Simonyan, and Lena Nanushyan (MPH ’05), first deputy minister of health of the Republic of Armenia.

The opening remarks were followed by the keynote address delivered by Dr. Houry Puzantian, assistant professor of Nursing at the American University of Beirut. In her presentation, Dr. Puzantian discussed the emerging global challenges affecting the nursing profession and highlighted the critical role of advanced nursing education in preparing nurses to address increasingly complex healthcare needs. Dr. Puzantian inspired the audience with stories of accomplished Armenian nurses, in Lebanon and the United States, who have assumed pioneering leadership roles through their educational achievements and professional contributions.

The conference program featured presentations and posters delivered by nurses affiliated with the BSN Program as well as nursing professionals working in hematology and oncology centers in Armenia. The themes covered during the conference included Nursing Leadership, Management and Professional Identity, Quality of Care, Patient Safety and Risk Management, Infection Prevention and Control, Clinical Skills, Emergency Situations and Critical Care, Communication, Ethics and Patient-Centered Care, and Safe Use of Technology in Healthcare.

The BSN Association’s Education Committee, chaired by Maria Aleksandrova, supported by BSN faculty members Adena Alahverdian (MPH ’22), and Vicky Herkelian, played a central role in mentoring presenters throughout the preparation process. Their guidance helped ensure that the educational content was scientifically accurate, relevant to current practice, and aligned with international standards in nursing education.

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in discussions on contemporary nursing challenges, opportunities for professional growth, and strategies for strengthening the role of nurses within the healthcare system. The event provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration among nursing professionals from diverse clinical settings. One of the participants shared “Thank you very much for such an informative, engaging, and professionally organized conference. The conference was both educational and inspiring, providing new insights and encouraging professional growth. We especially appreciate the clear presentation style and the warm atmosphere you created. Thank you for sharing your expertise and for your commitment to advancing healthcare education.”

The successful implementation of the conference was the result of several months of planning, collaboration, and dedication by the organizing committee and partner organizations. Members of the participating associations received ongoing mentorship and support from BSN faculty members, whose expertise contributed significantly to the quality and impact of the event.

The conference represents an important milestone in the advancement of the nursing profession in Armenia, and organizers hope that this event will serve as a foundation for future educational initiatives organized by the BSN Association of Armenia aimed at strengthening nursing leadership, promoting lifelong learning, and enhancing patient care across the country.

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.