I was 45 years old and working in sales when I had an experience that changed my life. My father fell very ill and after seeing him in and out of rehab facilities, I decided to take him home. I cared for him during the last six months of his life. As a result of that experience, I made the decision to leave my job and pursue a career in the nursing field.
After a little research, I enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's Nursing program. I hadn't been in a classroom since high school, so it was a little intimidating. It was a challenge, but the quality of the instructors and the quality of the program were great and I had a really supportive class. Clinicals are the real deal and where you work with your patients and get immersed into the culture. All of my clinical sites allowed me to be hands on and that set me up for success.
During the last week of nursing classes, Dependable Home Health gave a presentation explaining their company and nursing positions. I applied and have been working their ever since. I really enjoy home health because you have a different level of independence; you are required to use your critical thinking and reasoning every day and the doctors trust your assessments and opinions. After about a year of working in the field, I was promoted to their Clinical Manager position supervising other nurses, therapists, LPNs and aides.
I would highly recommend Pima Medical Institute to anyone looking for a career in the nursing field. The program is well structured and, although it's demanding, it is very rewarding!
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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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I was a high school dropout with no desire to ever get my diploma. I never saw the value in education or what some piece of paper could do for me. That all changed with the news of a baby on the way. My priorities changed and I thought about the things I wanted for my children. How could I expect them to do well in school when I hadn't?
I passed my GED and went into retail management. Everything was great until I hurt my back and needed surgery. After three surgeries, I lost all hope of ever being able to provide for my family again. I was disabled and my wife had taken on the role of provider. She needed to find a job where she could make more money, so she started looking into school. I joined my wife on her admissions interview at Pima Medical Institute, talked with the admission's counselor, Frank Pignone, who encouraged me to also begin a medical career. He was an inspiration and started me on my path to success.
The instructors taught me and inspired me to strive to be my best. Nothing was going to get in the way of my education. I was able to maintain perfect attendance and achieve director's honor roll with a 4.0 GPA. I am proud to say that as a graduate of Pima, my wife is now on the same path and I plan to continue my education by getting my bachelor's degree. Thanks Pima!
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I was at a community college planning to become a Dental Hygienist when I found out I was pregnant. Looking for a quicker way to get into the dental field, I enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's Dental Assistant program. My instructor was awesome! She cared about us and was always available to help if we were having trouble understanding.
PMI placed me at a dental office for children for my externship and they offered me a position. I've been there about two years and I love my job! I've realized my future goal is to move into management, so I got excited when I heard about PMI's online Health Care Administration associate's degree. It has been challenging being a mom, working and going to school full-time. But I enjoy learning and I love that the things I'm learning in my classes totally apply to my daily job. I've even been helping my manager with some ideas I've learned about in my classes. Since my future goal is to get into management at the hospital level, I am currently continuing my education in PMI's Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration.
I would recommend to any Dental Assistant that enjoys the components of management to continue their education with PMI's HCA online program. It's a great way to move up in their profession. I love working in an environment where I can help people and I'm so glad I chose PMI because they gave me all the help I needed!
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Pima Medical Institute gives you everything you need to do your job well in your new career. I find myself recommending them to everyone.
Before I started at Pima Medical, I was a stay at home mom to my two kids. As they got older, I started looking for something that would work for someone who had been out of school for 10 years, and a place with a good reputation. A lot of my motivation was my kids; I needed something stable for them. I've always had an interest in the medical field, and after seeing an advertisement on a bus for Pima Medical, I decided to look into their programs. I applied online, later stopped in for a tour of the campus and signed up for the Medical Assistant Program.
The program, my teachers and my classmates were a perfect fit for me. My classmates were helpful and we had a lot of fun. I had the help and support from instructors not only for my education, but personally as well. My instructors have become my friends.
I was hired on at Presbyterian Medical Center as a Medical Assistant in their orthopedic department. It was a transition for my kids to have me go back to work, but I am teaching them the importance of an education. My kids are looking up to me and I'm proud of my new career.
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My husband and I have six children and I have been a stay at home mom for the past 10 years. When the pandemic hit, we were concerned it might negatively impact my husband's businesses. Since I had been thinking about going back to school, we decided it was time to train for a career that we could fall back on. Little did I know when I enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's Dental Assistant program, that I would be completing my whole program during the pandemic. Since I hadn't been in school in a while it was challenging, but failure wasn't an option. My instructor was so good! We learned so much from her explanations and when we were finally able to participate in campus labs, our hands-on work came quite naturally.
We live on the Tulalip reservation and I wanted to complete my externship at our health clinic where I could help my people. There are very few Native American healthcare providers and this causes a mistrust and disruption in care because of cultural and language differences. I had a wonderful experience, my patients appreciated me and I ended up with a job.
The day after my externship everyone was invited to come for COVID vaccinations because a storm had caused power outages and there were concerns the vaccines would go bad. I drove past the clinic, saw the long line of cars, grabbed scrubs and my PPE and spent the day helping check in patients. We vaccinated over 750 people in one day, including my over 80-year-old grandmother. That was a pretty special moment for our community.
I'm so appreciative to my instructors at Pima Medical. Everyone was so kind and helpful and cared about each student. I love my new career and my new job.
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While facing setbacks in my undergraduate BSPS (Bachelors in Science of Pharmaceutical Science) program due to grade issues, I decided to step away. My advisor from the University of Arizona (UA) suggested I apply to Pima Medical Institute's Pharmacy Technician program. From the moment I stepped into the program, I knew I was in the right place. I had wonderful instructors to help guide me on the path of reaching my goal. I enjoyed meeting new and different people, each with their own unique story. Probably the biggest obstacle I faced was the poor performance that was lingering from my time at UA and wanting to show that I wasn't the reason for not doing well there. I'm proud to say I cleared that hurdle and finished my program with a 4.0 GPA.
One of the most invaluable aspects of Pima Medical was the accessibility of instructors for one-on-one guidance and always knowing I could easily ask questions and get help. This bolstered my confidence during my externship, enabling me to be comfortable with my colleagues and have the confidence to ask questions. I was thrilled to receive a job offer from Banner University Medical Center Tucson. My time there as an extern showcased my capabilities, earning me a position as a Certified Pharmacy Technician.
I owe immense gratitude to my instructors Shaun, Sara and Grace for their unwavering support and dedication to my success. Pima Medical Institute is able to offer opportunities to those that believe they don't deserve it, when in reality they do!
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I was looking for a change from my previous jobs in food service and explored various community colleges in Seattle. After considering culinary arts, I decided to pursue a healthcare career where I knew jobs were more in demand. I chose Pima Medical Institute because the stories from previous graduates resonated with me. They were just like me, seeking change and career advancement. Despite having no prior knowledge or experience in pharmacy, I chose the Pharmacy Technician program to challenge myself.
My experience at Pima Medical was fun and engaging. The courses, from Career Prep to the Pharmacy Technician classes, were well planned. I learned everything I needed to succeed. The biggest challenge was balancing homework and projects with a full-time job, but it was worth it. The support from the staff at Pima's Renton campus was invaluable. The admissions and financial aid advisors helped me with my FAFSA, easing my financial worries. My Career Prep instructor made learning exciting and engaging. The staff provided support and organized stress-relieving activities like the Halloween costume contest. My instructor imparted all the pharmacy knowledge I needed and now apply daily in my work.
Since graduating from Pima Medical in 2018, I worked at ReadyMeds for nearly four years and I've spent the last several years working as a Specialty Pharmacy Technician at Kaiser Permanente of Washington. I highly recommend Pima Medical Institute for the support and programs they offer to help you achieve your goals and succeed in your career. Now I'm one of those graduates sharing my story to inspire others!
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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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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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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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