Following high school I wanted to enroll in a physical therapist assistant program at a local college. I attended a community college and took online classes to complete the pre-requisites. I had been on the school's wait list for almost three years, when they changed the requirements. I was so frustrated! In pursuing other options, I learned Pima Medical Institute had a Medical Administrative Assistant program I could finish in only seven months. After completing the program I knew I could begin my career in the medical field and later continue with their online associate degree in Health Care Administration, so I signed up!
I really enjoyed my education at PMI. The instructors were great and every class was valuable. There were no random classes that didn't apply to my career. Everything was something I could relate to. I was concerned when I started with online Health Care Administration that an 11 month program would be too intense and overwhelming. However, I found the instructors were not only responsive, but the classes were applicable to my daily work. For example, my human resources class really helped me in my role as office supervisor.
I'm currently working as a front office supervisor. I've completed my HCA associate degree and plan to continue with PMI's online HCA bachelor degree. Everything I've learned from my MAA program to my HCA classes, I find to be very valuable. I'm looking forward to the knowledge that awaits me as I continue my education.
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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 am a Medical Assistant at Children's Hospital of Colorado where I work in the pulmonary department, and I love my job! Believe it or not, I wake up every day excited to come to work. I can't wait to see the families and kids.
Way before PMI, I was trained in the animal science field, and later my husband and I ran an HOA management company for a number of years. Unexpectedly, two family members became very ill, and walking through this very difficult experience led me to desire a career in the medical field.
After finding Pima Medical Institute, I never hesitated. I thought of it one day, signed up the next, and started the Medical Assistant program a month later. It was not only the right timing, it was the right place, and it has been an amazing journey!
I had a great student experience at Pima, and the instructors were amazing. They cared about us and were available anytime any of us needed anything. To be honest, they actually became more like friends than teachers. My current job is a perfect fit for me, and I'm so grateful for my training at PMI!
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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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When I was young, I had a babysitter who became a nurse. Ever since then, I've always wanted be a part of the medical field. I completed a year of general education college classes, but was unsure of my direction. We had a family friend who was a manager at a family practice and she said, "Go to Pima Medical Institute - they have a great Medical Assistant program and you'll get hired immediately." So, I took her advice and enrolled.
I had a great experience as a student and was hired at my externship site. I spent 26 years in the clinical setting. Eventually, a PMI instructor recruited me to teach. I love being back at PMI in the front of the classroom. I tell my students that I was once in their chairs and I remember being terrified of blood draws and injections. I love spending 18 weeks with students watching them change from shy and timid to excited and confident about their skills and new opportunities.
I'm often asked if I miss the clinic setting and if I want to go back. I always say - "No". I love teaching and I love the environment at PMI. I have great support from the administration and instructors from all programs. We help each other adapt our teaching style for the needs of students and we all have the same goal, which is to help our students become successful. I would never have guessed I would be back at PMI and enjoying teaching as much as I do.
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Attending Pima Medical Institute was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Before PMI I bounced around from job to job trying to find a fit, make enough money to cover my bills, and raising a family. Unfortunately, my family was torn apart and I found myself trying to raising my children on my own making only $24k as a correctional officer.
I had seen the commercials for PMI, so I stopped and spoke with the admissions office and enrolled in their Respiratory Therapy program. The instructors were wonderful and very knowledgeable. Class schedules made it possible for me to see my kids off to school and pick them up after class. Before I'd even graduated, I was offered full time positions at two facilities where I had completed my clinical rotations and I was working within two weeks of graduation.
PMI helped me achieve my personal and professional goals while providing for my family in a stable and very rewarding career. I've done travel assignments and have worked in Arizona, Idaho, Texas and New Mexico. I have saved lives, helped many patients and their family members in their time of need, and I've never had trouble finding a job.
At the age of 40 I was one of the oldest members in my class, but I always felt welcome. I was fortunate to find the right path as a Respiratory Therapist and I am a PMI success story. I can't thank PMI and the staff enough for the guidance and skills that gave me such a wonderful and rewarding career!
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I was a stay at home mom for 18 years. When my oldest child headed to college I felt like I had lost my identity and purpose, but I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I knew I didn't want to be behind a desk and I enjoyed being on my feet and using my hands. So when I saw the commercial for the Dental Assisting Program and Pima Medical Institute, I decided it might be a fit for me.
It was somewhat intimidating going back to school when I was the oldest student in the class and it was certainly challenging having homework again while balancing family and home life. But, my instructor was helpful and cheered me on.
I felt very prepared, although extremely nervous, for my hands on externship experience. But I learned so much and it helped me understand that I really wanted to work in a specialty area of dentistry. I was initially hired at a general practice but soon found the place I really belonged; a periodontist office. I absolutely love it! I enjoy meeting and getting to know my patients. I have great coworkers and wonderful doctors who continue to teach me about their specialty. I love it all and am so happy!
Pima Medical has been so good in helping me go from "what's my purpose?" to "this is where I should be!" Finding that out and being happy where I am has been everything. It has done so much for me! Plus, my kids are really proud of me.
I love the patients!
It's different every day!
It's a lot of fun.
I love it! I'm so glad I did this!
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After being a truck driver and construction worker for 20 plus years, I made a promise to my mother before she died that I would go back to school. For nearly five years I passed Pima Medical Institute on my daily drive, and finally found the courage to pull in and take the pretest for the Nursing program. Going back to school at age 50 was scary, but I loved the atmosphere, the instructors and my classmates at Pima Medical. The instructors did an exceptional and extraordinary job preparing us for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
I applied at Banner Desert in Mesa where I had completed my clinicals and I was hired. It was 2019, and I was immediately thrown into the COVID Pandemic. A year later I decided to become a traveling nurse. Initially, I worried I might not be qualified enough or have enough experience, but I quickly got over that. Every place is different, but most of the core staff really appreciates the relief that travelers provide. I have been to 10 different places in four years. I'm considered a Banner Staffing Traveler within the Banner facilities nationwide and I call Banner Tucson my home, as it is where I spend the most time. Some of the challenges of being a traveler are finding a place to live and being away from family and friends. But, I am getting experience and confidence in different facilities and becoming more adaptable and flexible in my career. Plus, I am making a great salary.
Pima Medical Institute changed my life forever. I made some lifelong friends during my experience, I had some incredible, humble, giving and caring instructors and I am truly grateful!
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In 2005, while browsing technical programs online, Pima Medical Institute's Veterinary Assistant (VA) Program caught my eye. I filled out a request for more information and, to my surprise, Niki Riggleman, a recently retired yet highly esteemed instructor, called me immediately. Despite never having had an interest in veterinary medicine before, that call changed my life. I can't imagine being in any other field today and I'm so grateful Niki called me!
I completed the VA Program and returned to complete the Veterinary Technician (VT) Program in 2007. It was a privilege to be part of the very first VT class at the Seattle Campus. One aspect of Pima Medical I truly appreciated was its accessibility; the ability to attend night classes and work during the day allowed me to maintain a steady income while pursuing my education. The hands-on classroom experience, combined with working in the field, was crucial to my professional growth.
My journey with VCA Animal Hospitals began with my first externship, where I was hired even before completing it. Almost 20 years later, I'm still with VCA and grateful to have found my place there. I worked as a VA, a VT and then quickly moved up to Technician Supervisor and a regional training role. In 2020, I became the Regional Technician Director for the Northwest & Hawaii Group, supporting veterinary teams across five states. Additionally, as the current President of the Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians (WSAVT) and a former District Chair for the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), I am dedicated to improving the careers of Veterinary Technicians and Assistants. Ensuring their optimal utilization and safety is crucial to our profession, helping us continue to serve our patients effectively.
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When I got braces in high school, I was fascinated by how something so simple could transform a person's smile-and their confidence. That experience sparked my interest in the dental field, and after researching options, I found Pima Medical Institute's Dental Assistant (DA) program. I enrolled right after high school and jumped into the program.
My instructors were incredible! I never considered myself a standout student, but the hands-on learning style was perfect for me. I learned so much, and when it came time for my externship, it felt like a breeze because I was so prepared. They even offered me a job as soon as I finished, and I worked there happily until I moved out of state.
Since graduating in 2011, I've worked in every part of a dental office-from assisting to managing the front desk to being an office manager. Today, I'm a mom of two fast-growing kids, and I want more flexibility to be with them, so I'm going back to school for billing and coding. This will allow me to continue working in the dental field from home.
I love the dental field because I get to make a difference-helping patients find relief from pain or transforming their smiles - and I'm excited about the next chapter in my dental career. Pima Medical is an amazing place with caring instructors and I would choose it all over again. It's changed my life.
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My journey into healthcare wasn't planned. During my senior year of high school, I was preparing to study engineering when my dad passed away. It was a tough time, and I decided to take a break. My mom, a nurse, suggested I become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), so I completed an accelerated program and started working at Silver Hills Healthcare Center in Las Vegas. I never imagined a career in long-term care, but I excelled as a CNA and was promoted to rehab aide. One day my regional director, who saw potential in me, signed me up for an informational seminar at Pima Medical Institute for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program. I attended, was intrigued, and decided to enroll.
Balancing school and work wasn't easy, but Pima Medical made it possible. I worked flexible hours, attended classes and studied late into the evenings. The instructors were experienced, and the small class sizes made learning enjoyable. When I took the national licensing exam, I achieved one of the highest scores my instructor had ever seen. After working in the field, I wanted to grow my career even more, so I enrolled in Pima Medical's online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) program. Today, I'm an Assistant Administrator at Alta Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation, finishing my Administrator in Training program. Soon, I'll sit for the licensing exam to become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, and my ultimate goal is to own a skilled nursing facility.
Pima Medical gave me the tools and confidence to succeed. Their programs may cost a bit more, but they are efficient and effective with no prerequisites. I received a quality education at Pima Medical and I'm proud to be a graduate!
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Before going back to school, my life wasn't on the best path. After high school, I planned to become a nurse, but deep down I knew it wasn't what I really wanted. Eventually, I moved out on my own, but I found myself surrounded by the wrong people and making choices I wasn't proud of. It wasn't until I met my fiance that I seriously considered going back to school. He encouraged me to think about my future and what would truly make me happy. After some soul-searching, I decided to look for a Dental Assistant program - and for the first time, I felt excited about my future.
I found Pima Medical Institute through an online search, and after seeing so many great reviews from alumni, I knew it was the right place for me. Enrolling was the best decision I could have made. My experience at Pima Medical was nothing short of amazing - the support from my classmates, instructors, and family kept me going. My instructor, Margarita, was especially supportive. In fact, I wouldn't have made it through without her guidance.
I was excited for my externship at Associates in Family Dentistry and grateful to be hired upon completion. As I plan to move soon, I'm holding off on furthering my education for now, but I'm eager to explore my options. I am a proud graduate of Pima Medical and my ultimate goal is to build a successful career while growing my family with my fiance.
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