I was in the military and later did contract work overseas. Although I had an associate degree in maintenance management and a bachelor's in business and project management, I had difficulty finding and keeping a job here in the states. I kept being laid off or let go because of contracts or downsizing.
I just wanted a career that wasn't here today and gone tomorrow, so I decided to become a Pharmacy Technician. I found PMI one day, came in and registered, and I started the program the following Monday. I was the oldest student -- even older than my instructors -- and I had to relearn how to learn. My instructors helped me stay focused during the fast-paced program, though, and it was a great learning experience!
Thanks to the practice I had at PMI, I caught on quickly while at my externship at the local VA Hospital. I continued to volunteer at the VA until I was hired at Primrose St. Francis Hospital where I'm currently working as a Pharmacy Tech 2. It's very fast-paced; there are 11 floors, and I walk 12-15 thousand steps a day, but I enjoy it! I'm currently working on another bachelor's in health care management. My PMI instructors always encouraged us to continue our education, so I'm keeping my doors open. PMI is a great school and it provided me my start in the medical field!
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I completed my bachelor's degree in child development and worked at child care centers for a number of years, but something inside me always longed to be in the medical field. My dad was a physical therapist assistant and later became an RN, so I had lots of exposure to the medical field. But, it's very difficult to switch careers. After a coworker told me about Pima Medical Institute, I began taking steps to enroll in the Medical Assistant (MA) program. I was still working full-time so the hybrid MA program, which offered online learning and the opportunity to attend classes two nights a week, was exactly what I needed. I loved my experience as a student and appreciated my instructors. It was tough attending classes and working full-time, but I was diligent with my studies and disciplined myself to study on weekends. When it came time for my clinicals, I quit my child care job and began applying all I had learned in my classes at a family medicine clinic. The people I worked with really helped me and I was able to apply the skills I had learned, gain experience and also increase my confidence. It was probably my favorite part of my education.
Finding a job ended up being a lot easier than I had anticipated. I am currently working as an MA at Parker Pediatrics and Adolescence. I love my job! I am able to marry all my experience working with children and my new career in the medical field. I really enjoy the people I work with and it's providing me a ton of opportunities for further growth and learning. I'm not finished with education, so I am in the process of getting my bachelor of science in nursing. Pima Medical gave me my start in the medical field. Being able to work full time while obtaining my MA certificate was so worth it and provided a jumping off point for me into the medical field.
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I enjoyed my job doing billing for a dental office, but didn't feel like there was room for me to grow. I wanted more. I'd always been interested in the nursing field but ended up getting married and having kids and just didn't have the opportunity to go to school. When my husband got his dream job and was able to support our family, I decided it was time for me to go to school to become a nurse. I chose PMI because of their reputation and because I could start immediately.
I had a great experience as a student. Our instructors were strict and demanding, but looking back I realize they provided a professional environment and offered me a quality education. I am so thankful I chose PMI. I graduated on Friday, flew to our new home in York, Pennsylvania on Saturday, had a job interview on Monday, and was hired immediately. I am at Wellspan York Hospital, a level one trauma center, where I work on the telemetry unit with heart failure and stroke patients.
I received a great education at PMI. The instructors truly cared about our education, our career goals and they cared about us. I was very well prepared to pass the NCLEX and start my career as a nurse. I've recently started on my bachelor's degree and I want to get experience in other areas of the hospital. This is just the beginning for me.
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I had worked for a soil and fertilizer company for 20 years when my dad became ill. I noticed he had good days and bad days and they seemed to be dependent on which nurse he had. It made me so mad when he had a bad day; I decided to quit my job and become a nurse. I researched a number of nursing programs and found most had long waiting lists. When I sat down with PMI's program director for an interview, she closed our time by telling me I had made it into their program.
Being an older student, I knew if I didn't understand something I had to ask for help or a tutor immediately. It was a very tough program and I cried my way through it. In fact, it was the hardest thing I've ever done! When it came time for my clinicals, I realized those tough instructors had been preparing me for what was ahead and I felt well prepared because of them.
While in school, I had gotten a job as a Patient Care Technician at Oasis Spine and Joint Hospital to gain some much needed medical experience. The day before my NCLEX exam I worked as a PCT and the day after as an RN. I enjoyed working there until moving to St. Joseph's Hospital where I am fulfilling my dream as an ER/Trauma nurse. It's fast paced and I love it. I hope that despite my patients' circumstances, I am the nurse that helps them have a good day!
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While on summer break in high school, my mom encouraged me to get out of the house and do some volunteering. Through a friend, I had the opportunity to work in Tucson Medical Center's Pediatric Outpatient Clinic. I got lots of great experience but found myself drawn to the Occupational Therapy area. In fact, I ended up falling in love with it and went back every summer!
After high school, I attended the University of Arizona and got my degree in psychology. While working at Encompass Health as a Rehabilitation Technician, an Occupational Therapist Assistant, who had graduated from Pima Medical Institute, encouraged me to attend their OTA Program.
Coming to PMI was very different from my university experience. It was actually a million times better! I loved the small class sizes and the personal attention from the instructors. I had gotten a little lost and struggled at the university, but I did well and loved my time at Pima Medical and I felt very confident and well prepared going into my field. I currently work for the Sunnyside School District and I am an Occupational Therapist Assistant working with preschool age children with a wide range of disabilities and abilities. After I get a little more experience, I plan to go back to school to get my master's and my doctorate.
Pima Medical is a place that genuinely cares about you. They prepare you and want you to do well in the career you have chosen. I love my job!
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I was in my early 20's, ready to complete a degree in finance when I realized I really didn't want to spend my life sitting behind a desk. I had a few family members working in the radiography field and I noticed they not only had a great career, but they could choose to work in different modalities and had lots of variety in their jobs. I began researching, found Pima Medical Institute's Radiography program and enrolled.
I had wonderful instructors! It's an intense and tough program, but the way the program is structured really makes you feel prepared for your profession. I enjoyed the shorter rotations for clinicals which exposed me to many different areas and modalities. Once I knew what I was looking for, I was able to complete multiple rotations in my area of interest which prepared me for a job at that very location. I was hired at University of New Mexico Hospital (UNMH) and after a year I was promoted to a charge technologist and almost 2 years ago I moved into the role of General Radiology Supervisor. I love the fast-paced environment at UNMH. We're the only trauma one hospital in the state and we see something new every day. I'm not the only Pima Medical graduate in my department, we currently have five employees that were my classmates and each year I hire multiple new Pima Medical new graduates.
Pima Medical provided a great education and really prepared me for the field.
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Almost 20 years ago, I was working in the semiconductor field. After going through several layoffs, I decided I needed something that would offer more stability, so I chose a career in the medical field and enrolled in Pima Medical Institute's Medical Assistant (MA) program. It was a very challenging time for me; a single mother of two boys and pregnant with my third. I worked full time and went to school full time and had to take six weeks off during my program to give birth to my son. One thing I appreciated about my education at Pima Medical was the outstanding instructors. They provided me with the guidance and knowledge I needed to be successful in my career.
I was hired at Colorado ENT & Allergy as soon as I completed my externship there and I never left. I have had an amazing journey and career working for outstanding physicians. I started off as a rooming Medical Assistant for about two years and then I worked with Dr. Bryan Davis for nine years as his Physician MA, along with being the Lead MA in the practice. In 2016, I had the honor of becoming the Clinical Manager. I have had the opportunity to grow as a person and become very knowledgeable in the otolaryngology world at Colorado ENT & Allergy. I have hosted students from Pima Medical for their externships for several years now and I will continue to because of the great MA program and qualified students Pima Medical produces.
Pima Medical offers so many different opportunities to become successful and I would recommend it without hesitation. I have to give a shout out to my instructor, Shirley Jelmo. She is compassionate, caring and honest and she was such a huge part of my successful journey and it is an honor to partner with her to this day.
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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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After completing high school, I was looking for a temporary source of income that would pay enough to allow me to put myself through college. I had several family members who had attended various programs at Pima Medical Institute, so decided to enroll in their nine-month Pharmacy Technician program, figuring it might be a quick way to make more than the average college student.
The class schedules were ideal, allowing me to work while going to school. It was a strenuous curriculum but my instructor, a Doctor of Pharmacy with many years of experience, ensured his students became successful Pharmacy Technicians. He knew exactly what made a great technician and he prepared us well to become nationally recognized Certified Pharmacy Technicians.
I have spent the past 17 years as a Pharmacy Technician working in inpatient pharmacy performing sterile and chemotherapy compounding. I moved away from Arizona about seven years ago and I was hired at the VA Medical Center, where I was quickly promoted to Lead IV Trainer.
Recently, the Mayo Clinic in Mankato reached out to me and offered me a job as their Technician Supervisor with a focus in Sterile Compounding. The temporary job I thought would support further education became my career. I am very proud of my work as a Pharmacy Technician and I'm thankful for my Pima Medical instructor. As a result of being trained by him, I feel like my career has been really distinguished and for that I will always be grateful.
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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.
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At age 19, I started at Pima Medical Institute after realizing that my initial path at UNM wasn't the right fit for me at that time. A friend suggested looking into CT technology, and after some research, I found that Pima Medical's Radiography (RAD) program offered a quicker and more fitting path to my career goals. The structured environment in the RAD program was exactly what I needed, although it wasn't always easy. My father passed away during my second semester, which made it tough to stay on track, but with the support of the school, I persevered. The clinical experiences were mostly positive, giving me valuable hands-on learning. Even in challenging situations, I gained skills by working independently, which proved to be great learning experiences.
Graduating in 2004, I entered the workforce during a tech shortage and quickly landed a job. I started in x-ray and, over the years, expanded my expertise by becoming registered in mammography, bone density, and MRI. However, I chose to focus on mammography, as it offered a better work-life balance compared to MRI.
After a decade at a hospital, I transitioned to a quieter clinic setting where I could work more independently, which suits me well. I've been at a small clinic for nearly a year now, enjoying the stability and better hours. Alongside my career, I'm also completing my bachelor's degree in university studies, thanks to a state program offering free classes to those close to finishing their degree.
Looking ahead, I'm content with where I am but open to new opportunities, possibly in management. Pima Medical set me up for success, giving me the tools I needed to start and grow my career in radiology. Now 20 years later, I'm grateful for the education and experiences that have brought me to where I am today.
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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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