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I had been a stay at home mom for almost 10 years and had 3 beautiful children when I went through a divorce. I didn't have a career and the jobs I found just didn't pay our bills. I was so discouraged! My sister kept telling me to go back to school but I just didn't see how I could go to school, work, and care for my children.
One day I heard an advertisement on the radio for Pima Medical Institute and I thought ... maybe I can do it. I found the people at PMI to be so helpful and understanding. I knew it would be a difficult 9 months and I'd be putting in 20 hour days 3-4 times a week, but I also knew if I sacrificed now, it would mean a better future for my kids. So, I started the Medical Assistant program. It was tough and I was often exhausted. But I kept reminding myself and my kids why we were doing this. One day in the car my son held up my stethoscope and said, "Mom, you did this for us!" It was one of the best moments!
I'm so grateful for all the people at PMI - they were like family to me. Now I have a career in the medical field and a fantastic job with so much potential. Most of all I can provide for my children and they are SO proud of me! THANK YOU PMI!
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After years of working manual labor out in the hot Phoenix sun, I came to Pima Medical Institute looking for a new career. When they told me about the Sterile Processing Technician program and I realized I could do behind the scenes hands-on work that was valuable to patients in the hospital. I knew I had found the right place for me.
The program was challenging, but not too difficult and my classes included a lot of hands on learning. They did a great job preparing us for what we would face at our clinics in the hospital. The process of finding a job was pretty easy. The hospital where I completed my clinicals wanted to hire me, but I had applied a number of places and when Children's Hospital offered me a position, I took it. I really enjoy my job. Each day is different as we rotate through instrument decontamination or sterilization to packaging and delivering instruments to the operating rooms.
I make way more money, I'm in the air conditioning all day and I am making a difference. Plus, I can take this skill set with me to almost any city and get a job. Once my kids are out of school, I'm considering taking some travel technician jobs and living in different parts of the country. In the meantime, I plan to continue to learn and get more certifications. I'm very happy with my new career. Thanks PMI!
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I had been a mechanic for eight years when I was laid off due to a decline in the automotive business. It gave me the push I needed to pursue a new career. I have always wanted to be in a position of helping people and I had an interest in the medical field. I chose PMI because it had been around for a long time and had a great reputation. Although I wasn't certain exactly where I wanted to head, I knew that the Medical Assistant program would give me a general knowledge and medical foundation to help me get started.
I had a great experience as a student. It was enjoyable and I met some great people. The instructors were very knowledgeable and were always willing to help their students, including myself. I felt prepared for my externship and was placed at Atrinea Health. Upon graduation, they hired me as a Medical Assistant and I've been working there full-time ever since. I passed my Registered Medical Assistant exam and received the highest score possible 99/99.
Recently, I came back to PMI to continue my education and completed the Respiratory Therapy program. I look forward to my next step as a medical professional. Thanks PMI!
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I graduated from PMI's Chula Vista campus in 2005 with my Associates in Occupational Radiologic Science. Since then my journey on this career path has brought me countless opportunities. It is PIMA Medical Institute that gave me the realization to know I could go anywhere and be confident in my career. I moved from San Diego to Las Vegas in 2006 and had two job offers. I have been a Lead Technologist, Clinical Instructor, and even expanded my career further to include a certification in Mammography.
In 2011 I was offered a job as a Radiography Instructor at the Las Vegas campus. Without hesitation I can say this is what I was destined to do. Now I have the opportunity to bring my knowledge, passion and experience of this field to future graduates.
In 2013 I decided to take things one step further and I started my Bachelor's degree through PMI's online program. I continued to work full time while maintaining a 4.0 throughout my schooling. In April 2015, I graduated with high honors in Radiologic Sciences. This marked the first time anyone in my family graduated from college with honors.
It is now my goal to inspire others to be successful in this career, and motivate each student I encounter. I am honoring the ones who have inspired me along the way with the company who led me here. This path to my career's journey to victory could only be described as a true story of success.
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I am a 47 year old single woman who has always worked in what ever job I could find just to keep a roof over my head. I had recently lost my job and was at a loss as to what to do. My friends all knew of my love of animals and my special abilities to work with them, and they encouraged me to try to get into the Veterinary field. I spent 6 weeks trying just to talk to a person at the local community college and was running into one brick wall after another. Someone suggested PMI, but I was adamant they wouldn't be able to help me either. My friend dragged me to PMI anyway, and when I walked in and asked about their Veterinary Assistant program, I was promptly given to an enrollment counselor. By the next day (24 hrs) she had me set up with my student loan and classes starting in one week! I couldn't wait to begin. Now, I am FINALLY doing what I should have done 30 years ago, but just never had the chance. What a joy life is now. Thank you PMI for giving me a chance to do what I've always wanted to do and for making my childhood dream come true. I LOVE my new career and each day is special to me.
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My cousin had been in the Dental Assistant program at Pima Medical and that's why I decided to come here. My experience as a student was new and was very different from high school. I had to learn to be responsible and work independently. The instructors were helpful and were willing to stay after class as long as it took for me to understand or practice the material, but they didn't hold my hand. They taught me how to be a professional. I didn't realize until I began working in a dental office that I had been taught everything I needed to know to work in a professional environment.
PMI helped me find a job. After graduation they would continue to contact me to get permission to send out my resume, to follow up on possibilities, and to encourage me to stay in touch if I needed help. It was clear their goal was to help me find a job and help me pursue my career. I am so happy with the job they helped me find, but I'm not finished with school. After I gain a little on-the-job experience, my goal is to become a Dental Hygienist!
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I didn't graduate from high school. I got married, had four children, and worked at restaurants. 11 years after quitting school, I decided to continue my education, and a week after earning my GED, I stopped in at PMI and signed up for the Pharmacy Technician program. I didn't have a vehicle, so I walked a mile and a half every day to class and back, only missing one day of school.
I loved my classes! They flew by so quickly, but I dedicated myself to learning all I could. My instructors taught more than simple book learning; they taught us what they had learned out in the field. We were trained in what would be expected of us and even role-played, practicing how to handle patients in specific situations.
I was hired at my externship site where I am now the IV Technician, dispensing medications for a long- term care facility, hospice and assisted living. Some days are rough, but I know that what I'm doing is beneficial both to myself and to my patients. Because I want to show my children the importance of life-long learning, I plan to continue my education through PMI's online Health Care Administration program.
I'm really grateful I stepped out of my comfort zone and took the risk to create something different for myself and for my children. I graduated with honors, and my family couldn't be more proud of me. I'm so grateful for the opportunity PMI has given me. It has changed my life.
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Before attending Pima Medical Institute I was waiting tables and wanting more. There had been many nurses in my family and I always thought I wanted to work in the medical field. After doing lots of research, I was excited to find a good Medical Assistant program in Colorado Springs. When I visited PMI, I felt nervous, but everyone made me feel really comfortable, and after talking with admissions and taking the tour, I knew this was the place for me. I had a super good experience as a student. My instructors were great and when I got into my clinicals I just kept thinking, "This is it. I know this is what I want to do forever!"
After graduation I was hired at my externship site and worked in family practice for several years. I took a few years off to have my son and had no trouble getting back into the work force. I am currently a Medical Assistant at Children's Hospital where I work mainly in ENT and Neurology.
I felt really prepared moving into my new profession. I was ready and Pima helped me get there. To all the waitresses out there who want something more ... it's tough to start a new career, but go for it! You won't regret it!
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When I signed up for the Radiography program at Pima Medical Institute, I was a full-time husband, a full-time dad, and I had full-time bills and responsibilities. I worked nights as a patient care technician while attending school during the day. During my clinical rotations, I would leave my house early Tuesday morning, work my rotation from 7:30 am until 5 pm, go straight to my job, and work from 6 pm until 4:30 am. Then, I would take a shower at the hospital, drive to my clinical rotation, sleep for a little over an hour in my truck, and do it all over again. On Saturday morning I would return home to my wife and 4 kids. I did this for the last 16 months of my program. If it weren't for my family and my Lord, I would not have been able to do it. Because of their support, I graduated from PMI with a 3.8 GPA.
My PMI instructors had a passion for what they taught and they cared for their students. In fact, they are among the best people I've ever met in my life. My classmates and I helped each other through and became like a family. I currently work for two great companies - St Joseph's Hospital and Honor Health. They are training me in interventional radiology, not typically an honor given to new graduates. I love my job and am thankful for my education at PMI. It's been worth all the hard work and sacrifice. I'm here to tell everyone that no matter what you're facing or going through, if you're willing to make the sacrifices you can do anything!
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I was a practicing massage therapist for several years before deciding to pursue a career as a Physical Therapist Assistant. I've always loved helping people manage their pain, but was frustrated I couldn't do more. After some diligent research, I took a tour of Pima Medical Institute of Las Vegas and I knew without a doubt I wanted to be part of their community.
The instructors were amazing! They addressed the needs of every single individual and were able to utilize different teaching styles in order to keep our class engaged. I appreciated the real life expectations our instructors gave us of the profession and know it helped prepare us for our first job. The camaraderie of my classmates also really enhanced my experience. We were truly a family and helped each other through the program. I currently work at Advanced Healthcare of Las Vegas, a skilled nursing facility, where I was sent to for my final clinical internship while at PMI. I remember being hesitant about the setting but after the first couple of days of my internship, I adored it.
Our PMI instructors provided us with a strong foundation and a thirst for knowledge to keep moving forward. I have recommended this program, and in fact, my husband, my brother, and my best friend are now also graduates of the PTA program at Pima Medical Institute. Thanks PMI!
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I never ever thought I would be in the medical field. I became a personal trainer and opened up a gym when I was 20 years old and I was involved in other businesses and projects for a number of years. But, I just felt like it was time for a change. I wanted to make a difference so I decided to become a Medical Assistant and, in the process, I fell in love with the medical field.
I'm a researcher at heart so I had explored a lot of schooling options, but once I visited Pima Medical Institute I knew I'd found the perfect fit for me. I liked their schedule. I was able to work one of my businesses in the morning, attend class in the afternoon, and work my other business in the evening. I loved the faculty and I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. They did a fantastic job placing me with an orthopedic oncologist for my externship experience. After only one week, they offered me a position and I've become passionate about the field. There are four surgeons in my clinic and, since there are no nurses, the MAs do everything from removing staples and stitches, to wound care, and charting. We are the surgeon's assistants and my days are never boring!
I'm currently continuing my education with PMI's online Health Care Administration program. My ultimate goal is to get into PA school and, hopefully, work in Orthopedic Oncology. PMI gave me my start and I'm excited about my future in the medical field!
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After high school I found myself unsure of what I wanted to do. After jumping around from job to job, I always found myself gravitating toward jobs with animals, so I began researching schools with veterinary programs. I had visited several other schools before coming to Pima Medical Institute, but when I walked through the doors at PMI, it had a different feel. Once I learned more about PMI's Veterinary Assistant program, I realized it was going to be a perfect fit. The teachers made it very easy for me to want to learn and attend classes every day. They were always available to help me understand the concepts I needed to learn in order to succeed. My favorite part was the surgical aspect and the behind the scenes care needed to solve problems.
Jumping into the clinic was a little intimidating at first, but PMI taught me to reach for and grasp onto all I could during my externship experience. In the end, my externship site wanted to hire me as soon as I finished! I accepted the job offer and I am now working as a Veterinary Assistant at the very fast-paced Vet Med Emergency Clinic in Phoenix! I often walk through the door and immediately step into situations where I am hands-on both with the doctors and the animals and don't stop until my shift has ended!
I plan to continue my education in PMI's Veterinary Technician program and further my career and I'd like to specialize in Arizona wildlife and work with endangered species. PMI has offered me a great starting point in the animal field and has provided me an excellent path for success.
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