Lina Chilingaryan, 42, was the head nurse at the Center of Maternal and Child Health Protection in Stepanakert, Artsakh, until September 2023. She loved her job, managing multiple responsibilities with dedication.
However, after the tragic events and forced displacement of 2023, Lina had to find a new job in Yerevan to support her family of three, pay rent, and cover tuition for her two student children.
Despite her extensive experience, finding work was difficult without the necessary professional credits. In April, she secured a position as a nurse at a Yerevan-based Medicine and Beauty Center, but under the condition that she obtain the required credits to be considered for permanent employment.
“I looked into different options, but the trainings were too expensive. Then, FAR’s training caught my eye, and I thought it was a perfect fit—and it was free,” said Lina, who enrolled in FAR’s Continuing Professional Development Program for nurses generously supported by the Nazarian Family Foundation. She completed a two-week course for head nurses, earning the much-needed 48 credits.
"Without FAR’s support, I would have had to pay for courses out of pocket, which I couldn’t afford while raising two children, paying rent, and covering other expenses. I might have had to borrow money. This was my first professional training program, and it not only enabled me to continue working but also gave me the opportunity to update my skills and knowledge. We visited various departments, including surgical and pediatric units, and learned about disinfection processes and proper antibiotic dosages," she proudly noted.
Now, with her new job and updated skills, Lina is fully equipped to pursue new opportunities as a head nurse and advance in her career.
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