My parents really valued education and wanted all 7 of us all to go to college, but they were unable to help us financially. I spent years working full time and taking classes part time, but it was such a slow process. Eventually, I became interested in pharmacy, spent 8 years working in the pharmaceutical industry while going to school and just missed getting accepted to pharmacy school. While I waited for the next opportunity, I came across Pima Medial Institute's Radiography program and it interested me. A few months into the program I realized this is what I really wanted to do. There are unlimited growth opportunities in this field.
When I came to PMI my classes felt like family. I quickly realized the PMI instructors believed in their students and wanted the best for us. Before I'd even graduated, I had a job offer at a level one trauma center. I worked there for 3 years gaining experience and growing both as a professional and as an individual. I knew I wanted to continue my education, so I enrolled in PMI's online bachelor degree program. PMI's online classes are not only very flexible; they are designed to help you be a better professional in your field. I recently came back to PMI as an instructor. I think having been a student here and recently working in the field, I'm able to understand my student's struggles and help them learn what's really important. There is a sense of true value working at PMI. It's more than a philosophy or mission statement, they really care about their employees and their students. I'm happy to be back.
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After retiring from the military in 2007 and working ten years as a corrections officer in a supermax prison, I decided it was time for something new. In 2019, I used my military education benefits to enroll in Pima Medical Institute's Phlebotomy program (PHL). That led to Medical Assistant (MA), then Health Care Administration (HCA) and finally Veterinary Assistant (VTA). I also enrolled in Respiratory Therapy (RT) for a short time, but I realized it was not the right fit. In total, I completed four programs at Pima Medical.
The reason I kept coming back was simple: the people. There's a real sense of community here. When I finished my last program, I felt like something was missing. I applied for a position on campus, not expecting much, but the team saw potential in me and offered me a role in financial aid. At first, I thought I wasn't qualified. They told me they could teach the technical side, but what they really needed was someone who could connect with students. That gave me the confidence to accept the job.
I came here to learn, and I ended up staying to serve. Now I get to work with students every day, and I always try to check in with the ones who stand out. I let them know they're not alone, that someone here is rooting for them. It's not just about numbers or forms. It is about connection.
Math used to be something I wasn't crazy about, but now I use it every day and even enjoy it. Back when I started the Phlebotomy program, I would have laughed if you told me I would be in business attire, in an office, helping students plan their futures. This job changed my perspective. I come in each day not just to work, but to make a difference.
I tell my boss all the time: if it is not here, it is not anywhere. Pima Medical isn't just where I studied - It's where I belong.
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For 20 years, I worked in management in both the apartment and construction industries. When my position was eliminated, I became an unemployed 50-year old. I felt way too old to go back to school, but I decided to take the plunge and signed up for the Medical Administrative Program at PMI.
My instructors were unbelievable! They not only taught me skills, they cared about me and my growth as a person. I had very little confidence when I walked through that front door, but my instructors believed in me and encouraged me to do more. It gave me a sense of pride just being a part of the program.
PMI assigned me to do my practice externship with a plastic surgeon where I ended up getting a job. I take care of all things administrative, including insurance and surgery scheduling, and it's given me such a sense of self-value. My instructors encouraged me to keep going and get my associate's degree through PMI's online Health Care Administration program. This program has given me the extra knowledge and insight I needed for today's medical world, and it's been instrumental in the changes I've been able to make at work.
PMI has given me what no one else has ever given me - confidence in myself. I will never be able to thank my instructors enough. Now I'm not worried about being too old. I know I have something to contribute. I feel so grateful!!
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I was working in law enforcement in the area of communications. Feeling like I had reached my potential, I began looking at different career options. I had never heard of Respiratory Therapists until I was hospitalized with an asthma attack and experienced their care. It occurred to me then that I could help people just like me! I did some research, found Pima Medical Institute, and signed up for the RT program.
When I started, I really didn't understand the importance and true significance of an RT in the hospital. I also had no idea how many doors would be opened to me as a Respiratory Therapist. School was really challenging, but my instructors were successful and intelligent RTs. They became my motivators and mentors. The program pushed me to be a better person by forcing me to dig deep and find the grit to push through challenges. Overall, completing the RT program is one of the accomplishments of which I am most proud.
My first clinical rotation was at Children's Hospital Colorado, and within a few days, I knew it was where I wanted to work. I was hired after graduation and, 6 years later, still work there part-time. For the last number of years I have been working for Draeger, a ventilator company, where I am the Educator for the West Coast team.
This career has had such a positive impact on my life! As an RT, not only do I have the privilege to help others, but they make a lasting imprint on my life as well!
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One night my beloved cat was hit by a car, I rushed to the emergency hospital, but my cat didn't survive. As I was standing in the room another emergency situation came in, and as I observed the technicians and veterinarians at work, it was like a light bulb went on in my head. I knew in that moment that this is exactly what I want to do with my life. That same night I was on my computer trying to learn who those people were and how I could get that training. Pima Medical Institute came up in my search and shortly after I visited the campus and learned about the Veterinary Assistant program, I enrolled.
I was so afraid to go back to school because I'd already had a horrible experience with college. But it was wonderful! Everyone was helpful; there were small classes and lots of one-on-one time with amazing instructors. I worked for three years in emergency medicine and then moved to Veterinary Centers of America where I worked in ICU for three years.
Recently, I was recruited to work at Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute. They serve humanity through animal research on the prevention, treatment and cure of respiratory diseases. It's an amazing job. We do studies for large drug companies. For example, today I worked with swine drawing blood and working with IV's for a special study. It's exciting to play a role in the future of modern medicine. I'm a level three Veterinary Technician working with some of the best veterinarians and doctors in the country conducting very important and impactful studies. It's all because of Pima Medical that I am where I am today!
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Both of my parents have careers in the medical field and my older sister was working as an X-ray technologist's assistant at the same hospital. I had many broken bones as a kid and recall getting many X-rays, but when my sister started talking about what happens behind the scenes in her department, I started considering a career as a radiologic technologist. Both my sister and my mom encouraged me toward the Radiography program at Pima Medical Institute.
It is a robust program for sure. It was super challenging for me and required a lot of study. But, the instructors were very knowledgeable and encouraging. I formed great relationships with my classmates; we became quite close and helped each other get through the program.
It was quite intimidating to walk into my clinicals. Although I was well prepared and had help from the technologists, it was quite overwhelming to be in trauma situations and be interacting with nurses and doctors in real life situations. I worked really hard in my final round of my clinicals at Sharp Memorial Hospital and a couple months after graduation, I was hired as a radiologic technologist. I spend the majority of my time in the ER and I really enjoy my current job, but may consider a position in mammography in the future.
I want to thank Pima Medical and especially my instructor, Dr. Schmidt, who was so helpful and supportive. I was in a terrible car accident during the program and without her guidance I may not have been able to finish my program. I am 23-years-old, I have a career in the medical field and I am really proud of myself.
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I spent about 10 years feeling bored and unfulfilled while working in the currency vault at a bank. I wanted more and was interested in the x-ray field, so I enrolled in the Radiography program at Pima Medical Institute. I liked that I didn't have to do any prerequisites and could get right in. The program was challenging but I had taken out all those student loans and I knew I had to give it my all. It was pretty rough financially while in school, but it was worth it. I had no trouble finding a job after graduation and paid off all my student loans in less than a year.
I'm currently working at several different hospitals. I love doing X-rays and, particularly, enjoy doing surgery; vascular and complex spine surgeries are my favorite. The more challenging the case, the more I enjoy it. Pima Medical has provided me with a great education and a great career. I not only get to do what I love, I get to constantly keep learning new things and help people in the process. This field has been so rewarding and I am forever grateful for the knowledge and skills my instructors provided me.
I recall one of our instructors telling us that the connections we'd make in class would last a lifetime, and he was right. This program changed the trajectory of my whole life! You see, I ended up marrying Melinda, the girl who sat in the row in front of me and we recently had our first child. Pima Medical's Radiography program has changed my entire life in ways I would have never thought imaginable.
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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.
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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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After 25 years in restaurant management, I always knew I wanted to go back to school, but life kept getting in the way. In 2017, everything changed when I got very sick and ended up in the hospital for 10 days. One nurse, an older, highly skilled woman, was so inspiring that I thought, "If she can do this, so can I." Though I didn't want to be a nurse, I knew my management background could help me run a medical office. However, when I tried applying for receptionist jobs, I kept hearing the same thing-I needed medical experience.
That's when I decided to take a leap and enroll in Pima Medical Institute's Medical Assistant (MA) program. The nine-month program gave me the education I needed to get my foot in the door. It wasn't easy-after being out of school for 20 years, I had to relearn how to study and manage my time. But thanks to Pima Medical's support system and my fellow students, I got through it.
I landed my first job as an MA through my externship at Pima Heart. I soon enrolled in the online Health Care Administration (HCA) program, while moving up in my job and then continued into the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration (BSHCA) program. Upon completion, I applied to administrative positions and was humbled to have 15 interviews scheduled. After considering numerous job opportunities, I chose to join Banner Health as a Practice Manager, overseeing a staff of 20 (with eight providers and 40 residents).
Pima Medical provided the education I needed to excel in the medical field. My instructors were there for me every step of the way. If you're considering going back to school, just do it! Choose Pima Medical and you will get the support you need.
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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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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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