I was in the military and later did contract work overseas. Although I had an associate degree in maintenance management and a bachelor's in business and project management, I had difficulty finding and keeping a job here in the states. I kept being laid off or let go because of contracts or downsizing.
I just wanted a career that wasn't here today and gone tomorrow, so I decided to become a Pharmacy Technician. I found PMI one day, came in and registered, and I started the program the following Monday. I was the oldest student -- even older than my instructors -- and I had to relearn how to learn. My instructors helped me stay focused during the fast-paced program, though, and it was a great learning experience!
Thanks to the practice I had at PMI, I caught on quickly while at my externship at the local VA Hospital. I continued to volunteer at the VA until I was hired at Primrose St. Francis Hospital where I'm currently working as a Pharmacy Tech 2. It's very fast-paced; there are 11 floors, and I walk 12-15 thousand steps a day, but I enjoy it! I'm currently working on another bachelor's in health care management. My PMI instructors always encouraged us to continue our education, so I'm keeping my doors open. PMI is a great school and it provided me my start in the medical field!
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After retiring from the military in 2007 and working ten years as a corrections officer in a supermax prison, I decided it was time for something new. In 2019, I used my military education benefits to enroll in Pima Medical Institute's Phlebotomy program (PHL). That led to Medical Assistant (MA), then Health Care Administration (HCA) and finally Veterinary Assistant (VTA). I also enrolled in Respiratory Therapy (RT) for a short time, but I realized it was not the right fit. In total, I completed four programs at Pima Medical.
The reason I kept coming back was simple: the people. There's a real sense of community here. When I finished my last program, I felt like something was missing. I applied for a position on campus, not expecting much, but the team saw potential in me and offered me a role in financial aid. At first, I thought I wasn't qualified. They told me they could teach the technical side, but what they really needed was someone who could connect with students. That gave me the confidence to accept the job.
I came here to learn, and I ended up staying to serve. Now I get to work with students every day, and I always try to check in with the ones who stand out. I let them know they're not alone, that someone here is rooting for them. It's not just about numbers or forms. It is about connection.
Math used to be something I wasn't crazy about, but now I use it every day and even enjoy it. Back when I started the Phlebotomy program, I would have laughed if you told me I would be in business attire, in an office, helping students plan their futures. This job changed my perspective. I come in each day not just to work, but to make a difference.
I tell my boss all the time: if it is not here, it is not anywhere. Pima Medical isn't just where I studied - It's where I belong.
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I am a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army. My Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) in the Army is 68P, which is a Radiologic Specialist. I've served in Washington state, D.C., Korea, Colorado, Hawaii, Kentucky, Iraq, Afghanistan, and now back in Washington. Army x-ray technicians cannot do their job in the civilian job market, because they are not registered. It really bothered me that I could not take the boards, despite my extensive experience. I didn't feel like a real technologist because I wasn't registered and I couldn't do what I loved in the civilian job market.
While deployed in Afghanistan, I did research on the internet.You should have seen my face light up when I found Pima had an Advanced Placement Program in Radiology. My experience at PMI was AMAZING! I am so much more knowledgeable than I ever was before and I often find myself sharing what I learned with others. My clinical experience gave me what I needed to successfully complete my boards. Now, endless possibilities are in my future. Pima has really changed my life, and I am very grateful for the opportunity I was given.
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I wasn't interested in a typical 4 year college. I wanted to get into a field, learn a career, and get out. While looking into Pima and deciding on a program, I just happened to have a dental appointment. Believe it or not, I wasn't a big fan of going to the dentist. I had a dental assistant that made my experience so comfortable and easy, my appointment just flew by. I decided I wanted to be able to do that for people.
My instructors at Pima were very thorough and totally prepared me for my profession. I attended school 4 hours a day and that worked for me. It was an intense program but I was able to obtain a career in just a few months.
Over the course of the next 4-5 years I worked for a peridontist and several dentists. The periodontist had a very special way of doing things and really emphasized educating his patients. I learned so much from him and it changed my perspective on dentistry.
One day I noticed PMI was looking for a DA instructor and I decided to apply. They believed in me and I became their youngest instructor. Now, I have an opportunity to share the knowledge I have and teach my students how to help people. I love what I do. I get to help make a difference in people's lives. That's what Pima did for me - it changed my life!
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I came to PMI after talking to a graduate from the Radiology program who was taking x-rays of my sinuses. His excitement about PMI and what he was doing was so contagious; I went home and told my husband I was going back to school. I had been diagnosed with asthma 6 years earlier, so when I heard about the Respiratory Therapy program, I decided this would be a way to help me take better care of myself. I signed up and joined in a small class with wonderful instructors. I was and still am fascinated with Respiratory Therapy. There are so many things we can do and still have to learn.
I graduated from PMI in 1995 and continued my education, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and later a Masters in Guidance and Counseling. I worked as a staff therapist, a specialty therapist and provided education within both the Respiratory department and hospital wide. I loved working with students in their clinical rotations and realized education was my passion. PMI had been pursuing me and the timing was finally right in 2002 to come back as an instructor.
I have and still am enjoying teaching at PMI. I love the students and the challenges they present. I think we have the best program and I know I have the best people to work with. All of us are interested in the students and in helping them become the best they can be. I keep telling my students that I have the best classes and I love each one dearly. Having fun at your job is rare, but I love what I do and I am so thankful to PMI for the opportunity they've given me to pursue my passion - teaching.
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After graduating from high school, I attended UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso) but despite attempting a number of majors, I still didn't have a plan. The thing that brought me joy was volunteering at the shelter where I adopted my dog. I really loved working with the animals and it made me realize that's what I was meant to do.
I began researching schools with a veterinary program around El Paso and found Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in the Veterinary Assistant program. I cannot tell you how excited and joyful I was to finally start on a path to a career I knew I would love! I had a great experience during my 9-month program. My instructor was wonderful and I received lots of hands-on practice. I was placed in Boerne, near San Antonio, at the Cibolo Creek Veterinary Hospital for my externship and before I left to head back to El Paso, they offered me a position!
After almost three years as a Veterinary Assistant I decided to continue my education and enrolled in the Veterinary Technician program, this time at the Pima Medical in San Antonio. I have been learning so much and am enjoying getting exposure in different areas like exotics and livestock. I appreciate my instructors sharing their experiences and providing hands-on instruction. I plan to graduate later this year.
I love the veterinary field and I am so thankful to Pima Medical for providing a path to a great career that I love!
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In 2012 I was in a bad accident and spent time in the hospital. This experience enabled me to observe the nurses and see how they cared for people. I had been working as a team lead at Target for a number of years but I decided that I wanted to do more than help people spend money, so I began pursuing the medical field. I started as a CNA and after 4 years decided I wanted to attend school to become an LPN.
I heard about Pima Medical Institute on the radio and got excited about attending their Practical Nursing program. I have to admit my first sequence of classes was really challenging! The whole program was a huge learning experience for me, but my hard work paid off. I appreciated how the whole program was laid out ahead of time, including our course work and the schedule. This really helped us be successful.
I was offered a job at my clinical site. The administrator took notice of me and offered me a position as a unit manager, not your typical first job as an LPN. I believe Pima Medical helped me develop a level of confidence that made a difference in obtaining this position. Recently, I was contacted by another facility and offered a job as another unit manager. I am honored and proud that in such a short time my education and hard work has provided opportunities for growth in my career. Pima Medical prepared me to be successful. The encouragement and support I got from my instructors was just overwhelming, and it's an experience I am always going to cherish.
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I was 30 and bored, living paycheck to paycheck, working an accounting job with no possibility for growth. I'd been exposed to the ER while volunteering with the Pima County Victim Services Division, and remembered that my mom told me I would make a good nurse, so I began to envision becoming an ER nurse.
I researched and chose Pima Medical Institute's Nursing program because it was the fastest way to become an RN. I didn't want to deal with prerequisites and waiting lists. I was super nervous when I quit my job, because it felt like I was risking everything. It was hard. The program moved fast and was academically challenging. The clinicals were intimidating, especially since I really didn't have a medical background. However, those tough trauma and critical care experiences prepared me well for my career.
My goal was to graduate with a job. My instructors helped with my resume and recommendations, and I pursued a job in the ER, which is a tough goal for a new graduate. I had an offer for an RN position in the ER of a local hospital a month before graduation. I graduated with my dream job!
I was in my position for only three weeks when COVID hit. It's hard to be prepared for a pandemic, but I felt qualified to care for COVID patients. It's a tough time to be a healthcare worker right now. But, even though we are weary and tired, we also feel fulfilled. I would recommend Pima Medical's Nursing program. I never imagined one year after graduating, I would be able to buy my own house. I have security and a career I love.
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I was looking for a change from my previous jobs in food service and explored various community colleges in Seattle. After considering culinary arts, I decided to pursue a healthcare career where I knew jobs were more in demand. I chose Pima Medical Institute because the stories from previous graduates resonated with me. They were just like me, seeking change and career advancement. Despite having no prior knowledge or experience in pharmacy, I chose the Pharmacy Technician program to challenge myself.
My experience at Pima Medical was fun and engaging. The courses, from Career Prep to the Pharmacy Technician classes, were well planned. I learned everything I needed to succeed. The biggest challenge was balancing homework and projects with a full-time job, but it was worth it. The support from the staff at Pima's Renton campus was invaluable. The admissions and financial aid advisors helped me with my FAFSA, easing my financial worries. My Career Prep instructor made learning exciting and engaging. The staff provided support and organized stress-relieving activities like the Halloween costume contest. My instructor imparted all the pharmacy knowledge I needed and now apply daily in my work.
Since graduating from Pima Medical in 2018, I worked at ReadyMeds for nearly four years and I've spent the last several years working as a Specialty Pharmacy Technician at Kaiser Permanente of Washington. I highly recommend Pima Medical Institute for the support and programs they offer to help you achieve your goals and succeed in your career. Now I'm one of those graduates sharing my story to inspire others!
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I have always wanted a career in healthcare. I had previously pursued a nursing route, but was discouraged and unsure if nursing was really what I wanted to do. I came to Pima Medical Institute interested in the Pharmacy Technician program, but the admissions counselor I spoke to asked if I had heard about Respiratory Therapy (RT). She showed me a video explaining what an RT did and I was sold. Then and there, I found my calling. I was meant to be a Respiratory Therapist. I graduated from the Respiratory Therapy (RT) program with an Associate of Occupational Science in 2011. Knowing where the industry was headed, and my drive to move beyond bedside, I enrolled in the online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy program (BSRT) and graduated in 2014. Since then I have worked in a critical access hospital, an acute care hospital, and a level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU was my favorite place to work and where I excelled. My experience allowed me to sit for three additional specialty certifications, adding some hard-earned credentials to my resume.
Along the way, I found my second calling and passion - teaching all things respiratory. I continued on to obtain a Master's degree, which opened up another door for career advancement. I began teaching in a local respiratory therapy program while still working bedside, waiting to make the full transition into education. Fortunately, an opportunity came up to teach in the very same program here at Pima Medical Institute where I had attended 14 years earlier. Here I am, walking the same halls and teaching in the same classrooms I was a student in many years ago. I've come full circle from student to faculty ... I am still learning and doing what I love!
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When my children were heading off to college, I realized it was my turn to invest in myself. I wanted a career that aligned with my passions-health, fitness and helping people-while also offering job stability and global opportunities. Becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) checked all the boxes, and after researching different programs, Pima Medical Institute stood out as the perfect fit for my timeline and lifestyle.
Going back to school after 15 years as a stay-at-home soccer mom was the hardest thing I've ever done. The fast-paced, condensed program challenged me academically, and the commute from Tacoma to North Seattle meant long days followed by even longer nights of studying. But Pima Medical provided endless support-faculty were always available, and I took advantage of every extra lab and hands-on practice session. They held us to high standards because patients deserve the best, not just someone getting by.
After graduation, I started at an orthopedic outpatient clinic, later transitioning to Olympic Sports and Spine, where I earned my orthopedic sports certification and became a Certified Lymphatic Therapist. Eventually, I sought a setting that allowed more personalized patient care, leading me to a private practice where I now enjoy one-on-one treatment sessions. I plan to retire here.
Pima Medical gave me the knowledge, confidence, and professionalism to succeed. Even after graduating, I've stayed connected with my instructors, who were always honest, supportive and dedicated. My career allows me to keep learning and growing, and for that, I'm forever grateful.
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I wasn't completely sure about going back to school until I walked through the doors at Pima Medical Institute. From the moment I took the tour and sat down for the exam, Admissions Representative Mary Mikiel made me feel welcomed and encouraged. I don't love taking tests, but her support and positive energy truly made a difference that day. A few days later, she called to tell me I had only missed one question - and that I was officially accepted into the Medical Assistant program.
Starting the program, I connected quickly with my classmates and discovered a great sense of community. My instructors were not only knowledgeable, but genuinely invested in my success. There were five of us who graduated together, and that experience gave me newfound confidence in myself. I was working full time while attending school, and although it wasn't easy, I proved to myself that I could push through the ups and downs and make it to graduation day. I started working at a fast-paced urgent care where everything I learned at Pima Medical came flooding back like second nature.
After about a year of hard work, I was encouraged to apply for a higher position. I'm proud to say I am now the Center Manager at Carbon Health Carlsbad. None of this would have been possible without the incredible support and encouragement I received from the staff and instructors at Pima Medical. They believed in me when I didn't fully believe in myself and constantly pushed me to grow. For that, I will always be grateful. Pima Medical Institute didn't just prepare me for a career, they helped me believe in myself.
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