I was a stay-at-home mom with four children under the age of five. I saw a commercial for Pima Medical Institute and decided to pursue my dream of a career in the medical field. From my first day I felt welcomed, my classmates were friendly, the course load was manageable and I realized this is what I was meant to do. Life was challenging as I was working full time at night to pay the bills, catching a few hours of sleep, and then going to school and caring for my kids during the day.
And then the pandemic hit. I lost my job. Our landlord sold the trailer we were living in and my family was forced out of our home. My husband and I and our little ones ages 5, 3, 2 and 1 slept in our van until we were able to move into an extended stay. It was rough! I got a job at the hotel where we were staying and began taking my classes virtually. It was difficult, but we were eventually able to move into our own apartment. Then I needed to give up my job to start my full-time externship and the bills started piling up. We barely had money for diapers. There was one day that it all felt overwhelming and I wanted to quit. I couldn't see the long term and I was worried we might be homeless again. I called my mom and she reminded me that I was almost finished and encouraged me to continue. So I didn't quit!
This has been the hardest year of my life! But recently, I was offered a job at Arizona Community Physicians and I am so excited to be doing a job I love. I set an example for my kids and my mom is so proud of me. I am grateful for Pima Medical. So many people there cared about me and helped me complete this journey. Thank you Pima Medical for jump starting my career in the medical field.
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My mom spent more than 25 years as an instructor at the Tucson campus and encouraged me to explore what Pima Medical Institute had to offer. I was initially drawn to Physical Therapy, but as I learned more, I discovered Occupational Therapy. During my entrance interview for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program, everything about the profession resonated with me. Ten years later, I have no doubt that this is my calling.
The OTA program demanded a high level of self-accountability. I had to learn when to use the resources available, how to ask for help and how to grow through discomfort. The growing pains were worth it. My cohort became my biggest support system and those relationships have turned into lifelong friendships.
I truly appreciated being held to a higher standard throughout the program. The structure and expectations prepared me to deliver quality healthcare right out of school. The professionalism required of every student helps ensure graduates are not only ready to pass certification exams and succeed as clinicians, but also stand out when applying for jobs.
Thanks to that preparation, I was offered a position during my second fieldwork rotation and hired as soon as I completed my certification requirements. Since then, I've been fortunate to explore many settings, roles and opportunities throughout my career.
I've worked primarily with pediatric and young adult populations, serving my community through outpatient clinics, home health and school settings. I'm currently continuing my education with a bachelor's degree and plan to become a licensed Occupational Therapist (OT).
I would absolutely recommend Pima Medical to others. The OTA program prepares you to be more than just job-ready. It gives you the foundation to build a meaningful and lasting career in healthcare.
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Although my mom, grandma, and aunt were all nurses, and my brother was a doctor, I had no intention of going into the nursing field. That all changed when I was working as a transporter, after taking the same patient for treatment every day for a week, she asked if I could come with her when she met with her doctor. That experience showed me I wanted to help and take care of people.
I began my medical career with on the job training and eventually becoming a certified anesthesia technician. I had been on a waiting list for a nursing program for 3 years when a friend told me about Pima Medical Institute's program. I was able to start right away and the smaller classes and knowledgeable instructors made it a perfect fit for me!
A week before school started, I had a house fire, so for the first 9 months I ended up living in a hotel. Although it was very tough, I always had the sense that the instructors wanted me to succeed, not because they wanted the school to look good, but because they cared about me as a person.
Since graduating I've been working at St Joseph's Hospital as a surgical nurse. I plan to get my bachelor's degree. I'm even considering continuing on to become a nurse anesthetist. I'm so thankful to all my instructors for sacrificing their time and energy to make me the best nurse they could. I'd highly recommend PMI's nursing program. It may have been a winding road, but I'd definitely do it all over again.
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I had been in retail pharmacy management for a number of years and needed to make a career change. I went to Pima Medical Institute and the information I received about the Respiratory Therapy program was very appealing. I learned that my background in pharmacy combined with an education in respiratory would open many career paths for me. My experience as a student with PMI was great! It was very clear that everyone from the administration to the instructors really cared about me and my classmates.They wanted to see us succeed. To this day, I still maintain a working relationship with my instructors who supported me while I was a student.
During clinical rotations I worked in an acute care hospital. I was very interested in being in this type of healthcare setting and obtained a job at St. Joseph's Hospital. Five years later, I manage a staff of over 50 respiratory therapists. I serve on PMI's advisory board and I am currently the president elect for the Arizona State Society for Respiratory Care board. My education at PMI really helped launch my career from being a knowledgeable clinician into a leader of other clinicians. I feel all of the opportunities I have been afforded have come from my baseline education I received from PMI
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I am a working as a multi-modality radiologic technologist at Carlsbad Imaging Center in Oceanside, CA. I function as an x-ray, CT, and DEXA technologist. I also have the privilege of being a clinical instructor for radiography students from Pima Medical Institute.
While working at a level 1 trauma center and as a travel technologist I discovered my love of working with student radiographers. I decided to further my education in order to become a radiography instructor and began researching online bachelor's degree programs. I was looking for a program that was 100% online, offered course work relevant to my dream of becoming an instructor and one that was affordable without sacrificing quality. I found all I was searching for at Pima Medical Institute and enrolled in their Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (BSRS) program in 2014.
The program was flexible enough that I was able to graduate in about 18 months, all while working full-time, moving once, planning a wedding, and getting married. I appreciated that my instructors were supportive and genuinely invested in my success.
I feel that my education at Pima Medical paved the way for the success that I have had in my career. The foundations set in that program have allowed me to build a career that is not only successful, but brings me joy each and every day. My advice to anyone considering the BSRS program at Pima Medical Institute is: DO IT!
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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!
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After earning a bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology, I struggled to find a job and ended up in finance. When COVID hit, my new job offer was rescinded and I was forced to take a job at a grocery store bakery, far from my career goals. I kept hearing advertisements for Pima Medical Institute which piqued my interest in the medical field. This led me to enroll in their three-month Phlebotomy program, allowing me to work and study simultaneously with minimal school commitment. It was a way to dip-my-toe into the water of the medical field.
The Phlebotomy program was a turning point in my life. Small classes, hands-on experience, and an excellent instructor, Miss Denise, made a significant impact. I soon secured a position at Chandler Regional Hospital, where I interacted with various departments and realized my passion for patient care. Nursing stood out as the most versatile and impactful role, prompting me to pursue a nursing degree at the institute I trusted and I enrolled at Pima Medical's Mesa Campus. The Nursing program was challenging and intense, pushing me to grow and become accountable for patient care. Through diverse clinical experiences, I gravitated towards ER and ICU settings. I've recently accepted a position at OBS Banner Dessert, aiming to transfer to the ICU and eventually join the trauma team.
I am immensely grateful for my education at Pima Medical. The Phlebotomy program provided a crucial foundation, giving me the framework I needed for a career in the medical field. I invited Miss Denise to my nursing pinning ceremony and my dad told her COVID had been difficult for me and she had saved my life. He was right, Pima Medical Institute truly changed my life.
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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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Dentistry was always in my plan, but life took a turn when I became a young mom while attending NMSU (New Mexico State University). Returning home, I started working for a family friend's dental practice, fell in love with the field, and decided to officially pursue a career in Dental Assisting (DA). I was looking for a fast-paced program and Pima Medical Institute was the perfect fit. My experience there was fantastic-I applied what I learned on the job and made lifelong friends.
After working as a dental assistant for a year, I decided to further my career and enrolled in the Dental Hygiene (DH) program at Pima Medical. The program was challenging, but the instructors were incredible. I was taught by some of the icons of dental hygiene and I thrived in the rigorous environment. Upon graduation, I quickly secured a job as a dental hygienist, working five days a week to maximize my education. Over time, I got married, had another son, and excelled in my career, and began working in a corporate dental setting. In 2021, I returned to Pima Medical as an instructor in the hygiene clinic, a full-circle moment. To say I loved it would be an understatement. Not only did I find my passion for teaching, I got to continue learning alongside my students.
Currently, I'm preparing to open New Mexico's first dental hygiene studio to meet the needs of preventative care. I hope to employ several dental hygienists and we plan to collaborate with local dentists. I'm also starting a dental hygiene consulting business. I am excited about this business venture and genuinely credit my success to the education I received at Pima Medical. I am incredibly grateful to my instructors for shaping me into the professional I am today.
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After high school, I spent four years juggling two jobs-one at Office Max and the other at a bakery-when one day, my aunt called and asked if I wanted to go back to school with her. I had no idea what she meant, but I agreed. That's how I found Pima Medical Institute. I chose the Medical Assistant (MA) program because, when my dad was ill, I saw firsthand the impact healthcare professionals can have on a person's life. I wanted to do that too, and the program was only nine months long, which made it a perfect fit for me.
I loved every minute of the MA program! The hands-on training felt so different from high school, and I found myself excited to learn. In particular, I discovered I had a passion for injections and blood draws. When it was time for my externship, I was nervous, but my head MA was incredibly supportive, and I quickly found that it all came naturally to me.
Toward the end of the program our homework assignment was to apply for three MA positions. Afterwards, I didn't think much about it, but to my surprise, Saguaro Dermatology called and hired me. Dermatology is fast-paced and challenging, but I love it. My favorite part is working with skin cancers and assisting in surgeries. I also enjoy my role in the lab, processing tissue samples as a histotech.
Since relocating to Tucson, I easily found another dermatology position, and I couldn't be happier. Pima Medical set me on a path I'm truly passionate about, and I'd do it all over again. If you're thinking about a medical career, don't hesitate-come to Pima Medical. You won't regret it!
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had just graduated from high school and was searching for a career that would allow me to help others while staying active. When I discovered Pima Medical Institute's Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program, I knew it was the perfect fit. The opportunity to complete the program in just 18 months and start my dream job immediately was exactly what I was looking for.
My experience at Pima Medical was amazing. The class schedule allowed me to balance my studies with a part-time job, which was important for supporting myself. The coursework was challenging, but my instructors were incredibly supportive and always took the time to help me understand difficult concepts. I especially appreciated how they related the material to real-world, clinical situations, making everything we learned feel more relevant and practical. The hands-on experience in our lab and during clinical rotations was invaluable. It solidified my skills and prepared me for the workforce. Right after graduation I was hired at Athletico, where I've been working ever since. I'm currently pursuing a certification in pelvic floor therapy, a field I'm very passionate about. I am looking forward to raising awareness about its importance for overall well-being.
I'm so grateful to my instructors at Pima Medical. The education I received there truly shaped me into the clinician I am today. I highly recommend Pima Medical to anyone looking to pursue a career in healthcare - it's an amazing school.
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Starting over in a new career later in life was daunting, but my passion for healthcare pushed me forward. I initially enrolled at a local community college to complete prerequisites for a nursing program, only to face a two-year waitlist. Determined to find a quicker path into the medical field, I discovered Pima Medical Institute's Phlebotomy program. This program's accelerated timeline was perfect for my busy life as a stay-at-home mother. In less than three months I gained essential skills and secured a job in the medical field. That first step ignited my passion for healthcare, and after gaining experience as a phlebotomist and clinical lab assistant, I returned to Pima Medical for the 22-month Respiratory Therapy program.
My journey wasn't without challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted my class's clinical rotations, forcing us to transition to remote learning. Balancing studies, work, and family was overwhelming, but I learned to manage my time effectively and prioritize self-care. The instructors, many of whom were industry professionals, provided valuable insights and hands-on learning experiences that prepared me for real-world healthcare settings. As a result of my education, I secured a position at Banner Desert Medical Center, where I have been employed for the past eight years. During the pandemic, I practiced respiratory care under an emergency license, which provided me with critical experience in a high-pressure environment. Currently, I am working in Procurement and have recently been promoted to Test Management Training Coordinator. In this role, I oversee the training processes for new hires, externships, and existing staff members.
I am incredibly grateful to my instructors at Pima Medical for their dedication and support. The comprehensive curriculum and hands-on training prepared me for a fulfilling career.
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