WELCOME HOME ALUMNI

Which program did you complete and what made you decide to continue your education online? I was a reluctant participant in the Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy (BSRT) program but became an enthusiastic student and graduate once it was all said and done. My prior undergraduate and graduate degrees were in fields unrelated to healthcare. My Campus Director (who is very supportive) had been encouraging me from the start to pursue a more advanced degree in what I was teaching. His very credible and legitimate thought process was that I should not have the same degree as my students when they graduate (i.e. an Associate of Applied Science). So my prime motivator was to be a better example to my students as well as be a more qualified employee. What made you choose PMI's program? It was a streamlined and easy-to-understand admissions process and very well priced relative to all the other similar bridge programs. I also appreciated the flexibility of pace. It was an accelerated program that allowed me to complete my degree between May-December of 2016 (Although I would not necessarily recommend that. See response below). What was it like to manage a full-time position and your course load? In one word: ROUGH! I thought I could take on a full load since (I'm all that!), but the program is not to be taken lightly, and I may have done exactly that (at my own peril). And candidly, there were times I got behind. But the Student Services Coordinator and Program Director were in constant communication and made every reasonable accommodation they could. In hindsight, I would have contemplated going a little slower. But again, they are willing to work with you and make changes to fit your needs Did you feel like the coursework was practical for your profession? Yes, the program is constantly evaluating and updating its curriculum to keep it germane to the current healthcare environment. Would you encourage others to continue their education and would you recommend this program? Yes, in today's fast-paced and dynamic world, a degree is migrating from a nice-to-have to a need-to-have. Especially, given recent economic circumstances, a candidate needs every advantage they can get. Start your degree as soon as possible. This is an investment that no one can ever take away from you and will yield dividends for life.

I was a waitress for 10 years and felt like I was going nowhere, stuck in a rut. While lying on the couch one day I saw a commercial for Pima Medical Institute. As soon as it was over I called the campus and set up an appointment. Once my admissions advisor showed me the Respiratory Therapy lab and I saw how hands-on it was, I immediately enrolled. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but my instructors were amazing and it was worth it! One of the greatest experiences during my time at Pima Medical was the opportunity to be part of their Sputum Bowl Team, a Jeopardy type game using respiratory questions. Our team won at the state level and then headed to Las Vegas where we won the national championship! The experience provided great networking and exposure for all of us new graduates. In fact, after the championship I met a department educator from the University of Colorado (U of C) and I took the opportunity to tell her I was hoping to get a job there. She encouraged me to contact her once I'd applied and I was later hired and am still working there today. I am a certified preceptor, a co-chair of our guideline committee, and most importantly, I absolutely love my job! Working at a level one trauma center means we have been a base for COVID patients. It has been super busy, hectic, and stressful and yet, we've had so many success stories of people walking out of the hospital when we thought they might not make it. I went from going to a job I hated, to a job I LOVE! My life has done a 180. I'm so thankful for Pima Medical Institute and every one of my instructors. I am just so grateful!

While in high school I had the opportunity to shadow a respiratory therapist in the ICU. They were running life support on people who were totally out of it and I saw the huge impact they were making on people's lives. I thought - what a cool mission to help people without them even being aware of it. When I asked their RT director where he liked to hire new graduates from, he said - Pima Medical Institute. Then I called a couple more hospital RT directors and asked the same question and they all said, Pima Medical. I enrolled shortly after high school, and although I'd been told in the past that I needed remedial help, I flourished. My instructors were amazing; they were passionate about the field and it was infectious. They would often provide a scenario that would help with the application of what we were learning. I am now a teacher and a shadow of my instructors. To this day I incorporate scenario-based education because of them. I ended up being hired as a student intern at my first clinical rotation and upon graduation went right into their ICU training. I was a new grad in a critical care unit at a level one trauma center working in NICU, high risk deliveries and advanced diagnostics and I loved it! After 11 years, I'd completed my bachelor's and obtained a number of specialty credentials, all of which prepared me to become an instructor at Pima Medical. Now I get to take bland material in a book and "turn on the light" for my students. I get to bring the functional application into their brains in a way they can apply it through games and role play. I am teaching the Pima Medical way - framing the knowledge for each student and providing a reason for them to see and understand concepts. I love my job!

I had some prior college experience but couldn't find anything that interested me. It wasn't until I began working in a hospital as a lab technician that I decided to pursue a career in the medical field. I originally was looking at nursing and had interviewed at a few different colleges when I came to Pima Medical Institute and the counselor suggested Respiratory Therapy (RT). I found the RT program to be a challenging program initially, but once I got into my study and work routine it became easier. My class was small so we all became quite close and I really can't say enough great things about my instructors. I enjoyed my clinical experiences where what you've been learning on the pages come to life. I decided to apply at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, a leading academic medical center providing clinical and hospital care, as well as research, education and health information. My program director wrote me a letter of recommendation and coached me for my interview. I was offered a Respiratory Therapist position two months before I had even graduated. Arriving at the Cleveland Clinic was a little intimidating. It's a huge hospital and I often got lost during my first couple months. There are three different Respiratory Departments (Cardio Thoracic Anesthesia, Pediatrics, Pulmonary) with over 300 respiratory therapists. Working at a place like The Clinic where there is so much research being done, so much technology and high-level doctors, it's impossible to know it all. That being said, I felt very prepared. I am 24 years old, working full time and attending school to earn my bachelor in Health Sciences. I plan to continue progressing in my career by going to school for Perfusion or becoming an Anesthesiologist Assistant. Pima Medical has a great Respiratory Therapy program and the instructors will do all they can to get you where you want to be in your career.

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!

I have always had an interest in the medical field, but had no idea where to begin. My brother went to Pima Medical Institute for the Veterinary Technician program, which led me to look into the school. After my first tour, I knew it was the place for me and I enrolled in the Medical Assistant (MA) program. My student experience was amazing! I had fantastic instructors and got so much hands-on experience in such a short amount of time. At first, it was difficult to balance full-time school while working, but I loved what I was learning so much that putting in the work was something I was more than willing to do. I loved getting to practice my hands-on skills with my classmates. Doing things like injections and blood draws on real people truly prepares you for real patients. I graduated from Pima Medical with a 4.0 GPA, and as soon as I started to apply for jobs, the offers were rolling in! I ultimately chose to work at University of Washington Medical Center because it seemed like the best opportunity for me, and it definitely has been. Since graduating, I have been working at UW for the last year. I have learned so much and have never been more confident in a job. Getting my education at Pima Medical Institute was truly one of the best decisions I have ever made. It prepared me so much for my future and made stepping into a new role a piece of cake. I would highly recommend Pima Medical to others seeking to change their lives.

I had an amazing experience in the Medical Assistant (MA) program at Pima Medical Institute. I had the best instructors and, as we spent time studying together, my classmates became amazing friends. I had always known I wanted to be in a profession where I could help people and I wanted to work with children. My older sister had completed the Veterinary Technician (VT) program at Pima Medical, so I knew it was a school I could trust and enrolled in the MA program. I appreciated all the knowledge and information they gave us about working in the real world. The hands-on experience helped us feel prepared for our new career. Since graduating in 2018 I have worked for three clinics or organizations as an MA and have gained experience in family practice, OB/GYN and specialty clinics and have learned so much! I love my job! Every day is different and I am constantly learning new things. I am so very grateful for my instructors at Pima Medical for helping me to be able to achieve my dream job. I love what I do and I am so grateful I took the leap to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) program.

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.

I had been working at a grocery store for 12 years when I decided it was time for a change. I hadn't been in school in a very long time and wasn't quite ready to commit to a four-year university. When I found Pima Medical Institute, it felt like the right fit for me in my stage of life. I chose the nine-month Medical Assistant (MA) program because I viewed it as a great stepping stone into a career in the medical field. I really enjoyed my time at Pima Medical. It was exciting to be in a learning environment surrounded by students who were all motivated to succeed. My biggest challenge was balancing full-time work with evening classes while still finding time to study. It wasn't easy, but I did it! The thing I appreciated most about Pima Medical was the genuine commitment to student success. There was always help available whenever I had questions or needed support. Because of that, I walked out of the program feeling prepared and confident in my new profession. Upon graduation, I quickly found a job and began working as a Medical Assistant with Providence in family practice, where I stayed for six years. Currently, I work for Optum Primary Care, continuing my career in family medicine. While at Providence, I had the opportunity to be a preceptor in the apprentice program, and I hope to take on that role again at Optum in the future. Educating and mentoring others is a passion of mine, and I look forward to continuing to make a difference in the field of healthcare.