WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

After working at a grocery store for 15 years, I decided I'd had enough and it was time to find a new career. I was driving past Pima Medical Institute one day and I decided to stop and talk with their admissions department. I signed up for the Respiratory Therapy program before I left that day and started the program a couple months later. It was tough learning to study and become a student all over again. But once I got back into it, I decided to just keep going. So, currently I'm finishing up my bachelor degree. While a student, I really enjoyed my clinical experiences and they made me really excited to become a respiratory therapist. I also had the privilege of representing PMI on a Student Sputum Bowl Team, which is a Jeopardy type game answering respiratory questions. Our team won the state level and went on to compete at the national competition. While there I was able to make connections with other therapists and graduates from PMI, one of which would later offer me my current position. I actually had 3 job offers after graduation and chose to accept one at my current employer, Green Valley Hospital. It was quite an experience to open a brand new hospital; to build the shelves and set everything up and now I'm doing what I love. I had such a great experience at PMI and always felt supported by my instructors. Now, I recognize how they have created a community for their graduates.

My husband and I have three children; we were both working but were barely able to pay our bills. I had spent several years working as a cook but I hated it. My dad is a nurse and my mom was a medical assistant for over 20 years, so I decided it was time to pursue a career in the medical field. I researched and chose Pima Medical Institute because they offered to help me with financial aid and I was interested in their Sterile Processing Technician program. The SPT program was challenging, and I had some family struggles in that my daughter was in the hospital during my program. It was tough juggling school and being a mom to my three kids. Despite the challenges, I'm proud to say I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. I'm currently working as a Sterile Processing Technician at Lovelace Hospital. I learn more every day! I am the fulltime provider of my family. My husband stays home with our three children because I make more money than both of us did put together before Pima Medical. We've moved from an apartment to a house and have gone from barely making it to having enough for extras. Pima Medical's nine month SPT program gave me a career that has dramatically changed our life. I recently completed my associate degree through Pima Medical's online Health Care Administration program. It feels so good to be able to provide for my family and I love my job!!

I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do with my life. I began working as a CNA, and through my experiences in the hospital, I became excited about a possible career in the medical field. I heard a commercial about Pima Medical Institute and decided the quickest way into a career was enrolling in their 9 month Medical Assistant program. That opened the door for me, but I loved learning and knew I wanted more. My dad passed away in 2015 from a drowning incident and that experience pushed me toward the respiratory therapy field. Through that incident I was able to observe the amazing work that respiratory therapists do and I said to myself, "I want to be one of them". One year after completing the MA program, I started Pima Medical's Respiratory Therapy program and I loved every moment of it! The program was challenging, but our classes were small and I connected with my classmates. We developed an almost family-type relationship. I loved my instructors; they really wanted us to succeed. After completing my clinical experience, I was hired at St Anthony North Medical Health Center in Westminster, CO. I love my job! Recently, I have been working in the COVID ICU. I help intubate, manage ventilators and endotracheal tubes and give breathing treatments to those struggling to breath. I feel like I have found my calling. I love Pima Medical. They did so much for me. Down the road I hope to continue my education by getting my bachelor's degree and possibly even obtaining my master's degree in the respiratory field.

My daughter is a neonatal nurse and an associate director at Banner Hospital. I've always said I wanted to be just like her when I grew up! I was just 16 years old when I had my daughter and spent the next 32 years working in the grocery industry while raising my kids. It wasn't until last year when my sister passed away that I experienced firsthand just how short life can be. I decided to take that tragedy and do something positive with it. My sister had always told me I could do anything and was smarter than I thought, so I decided to be like my daughter and obtain a career in the medical field. My daughter had originally attended Pima Medical Institute for her CNA, so I boldly made the call and set up an appointment. Coming in as a 56-year-old mother who hadn't had any education since getting my GED in 1989, was intimidating. But from the person who welcomed me in the lobby, to the admissions advisor and then my instructors - everyone was kind and encouraging. I loved my instructors and I learned so much from them. It was a wonderful experience and it empowered me. I feel like I can do anything! I thought it would be fun to work with babies and young parents, so I pursued and obtained a position working in the neonatal intensive care unit at Banner Health. My plan is to absorb as much information as I can and then continue my education. This is such an open field with so many opportunities. I'm so thankful for my new career and everyone at Pima Medical. You can do anything you set your mind to and you're never too old to take the risk to start over!

I had been through a year of community college and a year of university, but had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. When my mom, a nurse, encouraged me to pursue nursing, I knew it would provide a stable job with decent pay and I began researching programs. I settled on Pima Medical Institute because they had a great program with passionate faculty. My initial time in the program was difficult on a personal level as I was very shy and struggled with some mental health issues. I ended up being required to take a mandatory break for a year, but I resumed my studies with renewed fervor and enthusiasm. It was a huge learning experience for me and it wasn't until the program was over that I realized the positive effects it had on my behavior, my personality and my professionalism. Our instructors did a wonderful job not only teaching us the correct conditions, signs, symptoms and skills, but also providing us with realistic situations and tips. They had an open-door policy and were always friendly and keen to answer questions. I obtained my first position at Banner University Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center, in the neurology PCU where I gained great experience and became a charge nurse. Since graduating, I have grown into an entirely different person and nurse. Although I used to be quiet and reserved, now I am open, direct and approachable. Recently, I moved to the Phoenix Banner Thunderbird Medical Center where I plan to practice leadership and grow in my role as an ICU nurse. I was recently elected to be on the board of the Phoenix Chapter of the AACN, which is amazing for someone with as little experience as I have. Pima Medical may be a little more expensive than others, but the quality of education you get is unfounded. Not only was I taught to be a Licensed Registered Nurse, I was inspired to be more ambitious with my life as well. I'm so grateful for my former instructors and the difference they made in my life.

At age 18 I got a job as a receptionist at a veterinary clinic. After gaining more experience at several hospitals as both a receptionist and an assistant, I knew I wanted to become a Veterinary Technician (VT). It seemed everyone I had worked with in the Seattle area had attended Pima Medical Institute, so that made their VT program an easy choice. I had struggled in classes at a traditional college, but loved my classes at Pima Medical. The instructors were excellent and very understanding. Everything I was learning seemed to apply to my experience at my job, giving me a conceptual understanding of the material. I felt very prepared for my clinicals and was offered a position at one of my sites. I worked at a number of clinics and an ER in the Seattle area, volunteered at a wildlife hospital and worked at a high- volume spay neuter clinic. When we moved to rural Alaska, I spent a short time at a bear sanctuary before landing at Sitka Animal Hospital. I am the hospital supervisor and lead LVT and we see everything at the facility. Last week we cared for a ferret, a gecko, dogs, cats, bunnies, rodents, as well as performing surgery on a duck that had been attacked by a bald eagle. I am also on the board of a nonprofit animal shelter and a municipal animal hearing board where we hear appeals for animal control. I am currently in pursuit of a master's degree. I hope to be part of the first group of technicians emerging into a mid-level practitioner position, much like a veterinary nurse practitioner or physician's assistant. Almost every day I think about my Pima Medical instructors and how grateful I am to have learned from them. I am proud of my successful career and I know I have them to thank.

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!

Growing up I'd always had my heart set on healthcare and my dream was to become a nurse. Despite being a good student initially, family issues led me to drop out of high school. I eventually got my GED and completed a nursing assistant program through Job Corps. Life threw more challenges my way, including a young marriage, poor partner choice and raising five children as a single mother. After seeing advertisements for Pima Medical Institute, I was drawn to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) evening program. Balancing work, school and motherhood was tough, but I persevered for nine months. I began my new career in urgent care and later pediatrics, where I've been ever since. After a few years, Pima Medical reached out encouraging me to pursue an online Health Care Administration (HCA) associate degree. This degree opened more career doors for me. Today, I am a Lead Medical Assistant at Phoenix Children's Hospital, working with the Homeless Youth Outreach Department. I wear many hats, including clinical lead, Spanish interpreter and vaccine coordinator. Recently, I enrolled in an accelerated nursing bachelor's program at Grand Canyon University, transferring many Pima Medical credits and moving closer to my dream of becoming a nurse. Pima Medial provided the foundation for my success. And even today, I always accept their student externs. The difference in skill between their students and others is noticeable. Returning to school as a single mom with five kids was challenging, but it was worth it. Many feel stuck in minimum wage jobs, but education can change that. Though it's tough initially, the long-term benefits include better job opportunities and more time with family. My journey was hard, but Pima Medical Institute was the key to my success. With determination and effort, you can achieve your dreams too.

After twelve-plus years as a personal trainer, I found myself needing a job with benefits like a 401K and insurance, so I transitioned to a desk job. However, I was miserable and knew I needed a career that left me feeling fulfilled. I reevaluated my passions and realized I still loved working with bodies and physical health. A co-worker who had attended Pima Medical Institute for the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program encouraged me to consider it. After researching and learning about the program, I decided to go back to school. Despite my experience, I wasn't initially accepted into the PTA program. Crushed but determined, I quit my desk job and worked as a rehab tech at an assisted living facility for a year. When I reapplied, I was accepted and I set a goal to graduate with honors. At 39, I was older than most of my classmates, but I felt more prepared for the professional aspects. My instructors were great clinicians and I was able to learn and draw on their experiences. My clinicals were challenging, especially when COVID hit, causing disruptions. Despite the added stress, our instructors ensured we gained the necessary practical experience. After graduation, I worked at a skilled nursing facility, which I enjoyed, but quickly experienced burnout. I accepted a Physical Therapist Assistant position at Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy, where I have been thriving. In fact, a year ago I was promoted to Clinic Director. I love my job, my patients and the challenges of managing the clinic. As a clinical instructor, I work with Pima Medical students, drawing on my experiences to engage them in hands-on learning. I'm proud to have graduated with honors and have even inspired a former client of mine to enroll in Pima Medical's Respiratory Therapy program. Now, both of us are medical professionals making a difference in people's lives. It's incredibly fulfilling!