I had a strong desire to become a nurse and was completing prerequisites at a local community college, but the two-year waitlist was too long. Thankfully, I discovered Pima Medical Institute's Phlebotomy program. It was perfect for my busy life as a mother of two. In less than three months, I graduated, secured a job in the medical field and was set up for success. Seeking more, I returned to Pima Medical and enrolled in the 22-month Respiratory Therapy (RT) program. The school's support system and faculty made it an obvious choice. I loved the RT program and was employed for years as a Respiratory Therapist in a hospital and sleep lab setting. I also worked as an autotransfusionist in the operating room.
Life took a difficult turn when my husband battled colon cancer, requiring a temporary relocation to Phoenix. During this time, I pursued my dream of a bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration (BSHCA). When things got really tough and I wanted to quit, the program director encouraged me to keep going. Each faculty member was understanding and compassionate and I'm so grateful they pushed me to finish. My husband's health issues persisted, I knew I had to become the family's breadwinner so I finally pursued my dream and enrolled in the nursing program. Sadly, my husband passed away a month later and I had to drop out. Nearly two years later, I returned to the program and I am now a proud registered nurse (RN) at Banner Hospital. The nursing program was very challenging, but I realize now the faculty are so tough because they truly care about putting good nurses out in the field.
I recently introduced my daughter to Pima Medical. Just like I had, she took a tour, met with an advisor, received financial aid information, completed an assessment and scheduled an interview for the Radiography program. I am excited for her and confident that Pima Medical will be an amazing experience, just as it was for me.
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I was born and raised in Bisbee, Arizona, and I'm proud to be a first-generation college student. My interest in radiology began in fourth grade after a broken wrist landed me in the ER. I was fascinated by the X-ray process, and that moment never left me.
After high school, I shadowed in the radiology department at a local hospital where my mother worked and decided to apply at Pima Medial Institute. I didn't get in the first time, but I gained more experience, took classes and eventually reapplied after COVID. I was accepted! And that changed everything.
The program was tough, especially being far from home and dealing with personal loss. But I was never alone. Kristen Miller, Jolene Pobrislo and Jeff Botkin supported me every step of the way. They believed in me, and I always knew I could reach out for help.
Today, I work as a radiologic technologist performing X-rays and bone density scans. I hope to add Computed Tomography (CT) to my credentials and grow into a hospital role. Pima Medical gave me the knowledge, confidence and care to make my dreams possible. And now, I get to show my grandparents every day that their sacrifices were worth it.
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While researching a career as a radiation therapist, I learned I first needed to complete my associate's in Radiography. I found Pima Medical Institute and was so impressed in my interview with the program director that I enrolled in their Radiography program. It's funny because I already had a bachelor's and was working on my master's, but it didn't matter because I had a goal.
As an older student somewhat terrified to return to school again, I appreciated the instructors and the personal attention they were able to give to our smaller classes. The program was very focused, and I never felt like my time was being wasted. At the time I graduated, there was quite a need for radiography technicians, so I chose a job at a hospital that would completely reimburse my PMI tuition. It was a wonderful job, and I made many lifelong friends, but after 2 years, that same PMI program director pursued me to come teach at PMI.
I was surprised to learn that I loved teaching! It felt like it was what I was meant to do. The satisfaction I felt helping patients morphed into the satisfaction I had in seeing my students become colleagues after they graduated. A few years into that role, I had the opportunity to become the clinical director, and after 10 years, I was promoted to faculty coordinator. Pima Medical Institute is my home. I love everything about working for this company, and I could not be happier!
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Upon graduating from high school, the only real option presented to me by my parents was to earn a bachelor's degree from a 4-year university. I tried, but it was a difficult time of life. I dropped out after 1 year and spent 8 years waiting tables and attending a local community college. Then I learned about Pima Medical Institute's Ophthalmic Medical Technician program from one of my husband's family members.
Hearing about a 2-year program that led directly to a career in the medical field sounded amazing! I enrolled and loved the OMT program. I didn't find the coursework difficult because I was so interested in it. I got along well with my classmates; a group of us would even arrive an hour early every day to study together. My instructors were great, and I looked forward to going to class daily!
I learned so much from my clinical experience and had the privilege of working with an amazing cornea specialist in the Denver area. At the end of my rotation, he offered me a position. I was promoted to lead technician, am currently in charge of the operating room, where I assist in surgeries, and I have recently been given the opportunity to step into the role of laser programmer. I learn something new every day and I could not be happier in my career.
PMI was a perfect fit for me! I am currently serving on their advisory board, and I want people to know that a bachelor's degree is not the only path to an amazing job!
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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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I graduated from the Physical Therapy Assistant Program at the Albuquerque Campus back in 2013. I had a great experience at PMI. The instructors were great, the curriculum was challenging and I had two job offers upon graduation. For the last 5 years I've worked at Rehoboth McKinney Christian Health Care Services in Gallup, NM. Recently, I have been working with COVID19 patients at our hospital. Our role as physical therapist assistants is to try and get patients up and moving after they get off the ventilators. I've never experienced anything quite like this.
In case you haven't heard, Gallup, NM is grappling with one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the United States. The Navajo Nation is reported to have the one of the highest death rates in the United States. Gallup is a hub for the surrounding reservations so many Native Americans funnel into Gallup to get supplies. Recently the governor declared a lock down and closed ALL roads in and out of Gallup, NM, with the exception of essential workers with paperwork.
Our small hospital has been almost completely at capacity with COVID19 positive patients and we have 30 employees that have tested positive. I was supposed to take a PMI clinical student in April but of course couldn't do that. When PMI's PTA program director called last week, I told him we had been running very low on PPE and were desperate for more. He offered to help and went through all the storage rooms at Pima Medical ABQ and loaded up his truck. We met outside Gallup's limits on the side of the highway (see photo) to make the transfer of gowns, masks and other PPE. I can't tell you how excited we were especially to see shoe covers as we had been using garbage bags which often caused us to trip.
I am currently enrolled in PMI's BSPTA program and am looking forward to completing my bachelor's degree soon. I've had a wonderful experience at PMI and I'd do it all over again.
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I began working toward a degree in biology after high school but after evaluating job opportunities, I realized I was looking for more hands on and started considering the medical field. After researching, I chose the Respiratory Therapy program at Pima Medical Institute and was able to begin within a couple weeks.
It is a very intensive program and it wasn't easy, but I found staying on top of my classwork and communicating with my instructors was the key. When it came time for clinicals, I got some great advice from a preceptor who encouraged me to jump in rather than just observe. I took this to heart and became a better therapist. I graduated in February right before the COVID pandemic. My goal upon graduation was to obtain a travel assignment and go where needed. My first travel position was in New Jersey at East Orange General Hospital and my first day I covered the ER and part of the ICU. It was overwhelming at times but I just kept remembering my instructors' words. Early on we had a patient we didn't know had COVID and as a result, nine nurses got COVID along with their family members, including several who passed away. Since then (2020) I have been on seven travel assignments in New York, Texas, Colorado, Oregon and AZ and experienced rural hospitals as well as the number one respiratory institute in the world. I've been blessed with so many opportunities and have learned so much.
Pima Medical certainly prepared me for my career. All of my instructors were really amazing! They each brought a different type of expertise and I benefited from all of them.
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I have found a career that I love as a Medical Lab Technician!
I'd attempted to find my place in the medical field once before, attending a Dental Assistant program, but it just wasn't for me. I just didn't enjoy interacting with patients. After being a stay-at-home mom for about 10 years, I returned to Pima Medical Institute, learned they had started a Medical Lab Technician (MLT) program and knew this was the program and the career for me.
I chose Pima Medical because I knew how hands-on they were. Unfortunately, shortly after starting the program, the pandemic hit resulting in us having to go to online learning. But, our instructors worked really hard to get us into the lab in small groups to practice during COVID. During my program I found out I had a brain tumor requiring surgery. The instructors were very helpful and supportive during my treatment and I was able to continue my program.
I am a veteran so I did my clinicals at the VA Hospital in Cheyenne, WY. It was challenging staying in Cheyenne during the week and driving back for week-ends, but I did it! I landed an MLT job at Centura Health's Penrose Hospital shortly after graduation and I love it! There is no typical day; every day is different and I learn something new almost every day. I plan to do this job until I can't do it anymore. I am preparing to start my bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science. This will set me up to get my MLS certification, providing a pay increase and an opportunity for a lead position. I would definitely recommend Pima Medical's MLT program. If you like solving puzzles, this is a great career for you!
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While initially interested in Dental Hygiene (DH), at age 18, I chose to pursue Dental Assisting (DA) instead, partly because I was hesitant to commit to a university four-year DH program. Later, as I learned about Pima Medical Institute's two-year DH program, my research told me it was highly reputable and very challenging. This both intrigued me and motivated me and I enrolled.
During my third semester an unexpected pregnancy brought huge challenges. My baby son was diagnosed with gastroschisis, a high-risk condition requiring frequent medical visits and a 54-day stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Despite the challenges of being a new mother and the emotional strain of the situation, I remained determined to succeed in my studies. I studied and completed assignments while at the NICU, my son serving as my inspiration. He was a reminder of my strength and my determination to never give up on my dreams. My DA employer had been supportive and excited about my becoming a Dental Hygienist and invited me to join their team as a DH upon obtaining my license.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of my instructors at Pima Medical for their unwavering support during my journey, especially as I navigated the challenges of my son's condition. Each instructor was incredibly helpful and supportive, always striving for my success. I am confident in the quality of education I received and would enthusiastically recommend it to others. While the program is rigorous, it is definitely achievable-I am living proof of that!
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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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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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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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