In the News Archives | �鶹��Ƶ

What Does Nursing School Really Look Like?

Barry Keyles — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:34:34 +0000

Hear From Jennifer Morelli, Nursing Program Director, �鶹��Ƶ

On the Voices of Vital Care podcast, host Nohelani Graf sits down with Jennifer Morelli, nursing program director at �鶹��Ƶ’s Tucson campus, for an honest, inside look at what it takes to complete the Nursing associate degree program and step into one of healthcare’s in-demand roles. Whether you are weighing your options or already set on nursing, this conversation will show you what the path to nursing entails.

Jennifer has spent years preparing students to become registered nurses (RNs), and she doesn’t sugarcoat what that preparation requires. The program is accelerated and intense by design, and she explains exactly how �鶹��Ƶ builds students up semester by semester to handle real clinical pressure with confidence.

“In that moment, one of the things we do is our brains shut down, and we rely completely on the training. We’re relying on the muscle memory of what we have learned.”

—Jennifer Morelli, nursing program director, �鶹��Ƶ, Tucson campus

Everything students do in the classroom, the simulation lab, and on the clinical floor builds toward one goal: training so intentionally it becomes automatic. Jennifer walks through how �鶹��Ƶ makes that happen and what it means for students who are ready to put in the work.

“The skills are easy. I can teach anybody how to start an IV. It’s the compassion piece that’s harder.”

—Jennifer Morelli, nursing program director, �鶹��Ƶ, Tucson campus

Technical skills have a ceiling. Compassion doesn’t. Jennifer talks about what it really means to sit with a patient in their hardest moment, why faculty share their own grief and difficult experiences with students, and how that human piece is what separates a good nurse from one patients never forget.

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In this episode, you will learn:

What happens in a nurse’s mind during a high-stakes emergency, and how the Nursing associate degree program at �鶹��Ƶ prepares students to respond without freezing
How the 20-month accelerated program layers content each semester so students are always building on what they already know
What simulation labs with high-fidelity mannequins teach students before they ever step into a real clinical externship setting
Why second semester is the most transformative point in the program for most students
How Jennifer uses “the why” to help students push through the hardest moments
What patient advocacy looks like in real nursing practice and how students learn to speak up for their patients
The wide range of nursing career paths available after graduation, from travel nursing to flight nursing to specialty clinics
What Jennifer looks for during admissions conversations and the one trait she says matters more than anything else

Who this episode is for: Anyone exploring a career in healthcare, considering a nursing degree, or wanting to understand what the day-to-day reality of nursing school and clinical training actually demands of students.

The opinions expressed in the podcasts are not those of �鶹��Ƶ.

Beyond the Episode

Demand for registered nurses remains strong and is expected to keep growing. According to the , employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with approximately 189,100 openings projected each year on average over the decade. The median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 in May 2024.

As Jennifer describes in this episode, nursing also offers flexibility that few careers can match. Graduates can move between specialties, shift to travel nursing contracts, or pivot into areas like ICU, labor and delivery, or flight nursing without starting over. That combination of job security, career mobility and meaningful daily work is a big part of why students keep choosing nursing as their path.

Ready to learn more? See how to apply or reach out to the �鶹��Ƶ admissions team to find out if the Nursing associate degree program is the right fit for you.

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The Hidden Careers Behind Every Hospital Visit

Barry Keyles — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 20:08:18 +0000

Blake Bowen, CEO of Homefront Health Alliance and Four-Time Pima Medical Graduate, on Building a Career Behind the Scenes

On the Voices of Vital Care podcast, host Nohelani Graf sits down with Blake Bowen, chief executive officer of Homefront Health Alliance and a four-time �鶹��Ƶ graduate, to talk about the roles that keep healthcare running behind the scenes. Blake began with the Medical Administrative Assistant certificate and built his way up through the Health Care Administration (online) associate degree, the B.S. in Health Care Administration, and the M.S. in Organizational Leadership, each credential opening a door the last one had made possible.

If you have ever felt drawn to healthcare but not to the clinical path, this conversation is for you.

“We are providing care, even if we’re not a clinician. If we’re not a medical assistant, there is care being provided at all these levels.”
—Blake Bowen, CEO, Homefront Health Alliance

Blake’s career spans front-office work, department leadership, a CEO role at another organization and now running his own behavioral health consulting company. He breaks down what non-clinical healthcare professionals actually do every day, why the back-office team shapes the patient experience just as much as the clinician does, and how stacking credentials one step at a time opened doors he never anticipated when he first enrolled.

“I had no idea I was going to open my own business when I started my master’s program. But here I am, and I’m thrilled for it.”
—Blake Bowen, CEO, Homefront Health Alliance

In this episode, you will learn:

What a medical administrative assistant does day to day, from scheduling and insurance verification to coordinating referrals and keeping a practice running smoothly
Why the first interaction a patient has with your office sets the tone for their entire care experience, and what that means for how you show up in a non-clinical role
How compassion, attention to detail, and the ability to make quick decisions are essential traits on the non-clinical side of healthcare
How Blake stacked a certificate, an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree at �鶹��Ƶ, with each level building directly on the one before it
How the Health Care Administration (online) associate degree and B.S. in Health Care Administration each unlocked a new level of leadership
How the M.S. in Organizational Leadership shaped the kind of leader Blake became and gave him the credentials to step into a CEO role before founding his own company
Why the demand for non-clinical healthcare professionals is growing, and how these roles give clinicians the space to focus on what they trained for

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This episode is for anyone drawn to healthcare who wants to make a difference without taking the clinical path, career changers looking for a clear entry point into healthcare administration, and working professionals ready to understand how stackable credentials can open leadership doors over time.

The opinions expressed in the podcasts are not those of �鶹��Ƶ.

Beyond the Episode

The career trajectory Blake describes is backed by strong national data. According to the, employment of medical and health services managers is projected to grow 23% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, with approximately 62,100 openings projected each year. The median annual wage for the field was $117,960 in May 2024.

Ready to learn more? See how to apply or reach out to the �鶹��Ƶ admissions team to find out if the Medical Administrative Assistant program, the Health Care Administration (online) program, or the M.S. in Organizational Leadership program is the right fit for you.

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Student Burnout in Healthcare Programs: You Are Not Alone

Barry Keyles — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 18:54:27 +0000

Hear From Michelle Carlin, PMHNP-BC, Founder of Monarch Health and Wellness, and Brenna Drago, Student Services Leader, �鶹��Ƶ

Between classes, work, and everything else pulling at your attention, it can feel like there are not enough hours in the day. For many students in healthcare programs, that pressure becomes overwhelming. The good news is that you are not alone, and there are real tools and people ready to help.

In Episode 6 of Voices of Vital Care, host Nohelani Graf sits down with two guests: Michelle Carlin, a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and founder of Monarch Health and Wellness, and Brenna Drago, a student services leader at �鶹��Ƶ. They unpack what student burnout really looks like, why it’s so common in allied health programs, and what you can do about it right now.

“A lot of burnout is happening and a lot of anxiety that can lead to depression as well.”
–Michelle Carlin, PMHNP-BC, founder, Monarch Health and Wellness

Burnout does not arrive all at once. According to Carlin, it builds quietly. Students juggling jobs, families and coursework often start to feel it in their sleep, their appetite, and their ability to concentrate. By the time they notice something is wrong, they have often been running on empty for a while. That pattern is something both Carlin and Drago see consistently, and it is exactly why early awareness matters.

“Whenever we’re uncomfortable, that means we’re growing, and you’re going through a growing phase that you had the courage to start.”
–Brenna Drago, student services leader, �鶹��Ƶ

In this episode, you will learn:

The early warning signs of student burnout, including disrupted sleep, social withdrawal, fatigue and changes in personal care
Why post-pandemic students are experiencing higher rates of social anxiety and how it has impacted asking for help in class and clinical settings
How Pima Medical’s student services team works with students from orientation onward to offer personalized coaching, mentoring and access to a student assistance program
Two evidence-based techniques you can use in under five minutes to reset when anxiety spikes: square breathing and the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding method
Why guilt around asking for help is so common among future healthcare professionals, and how reframing that guilt can actually strengthen your skills as a caregiver
What balance realistically looks like during school, including time-budgeting tools, self-advocacy skills, and how to identify your priorities
How to tell the difference between a rough week and a moment that calls for more support, and why that skill will serve you throughout your career
How telehealth has made mental health care more accessible for students in the middle of busy clinical schedules, with appointments possible between classes or during breaks on site

Who this episode is for: Anyone currently enrolled in a health care program who is feeling stretched thin, first-generation students navigating school without a family roadmap and anyone who has quietly thought about quitting but has not yet asked for help.

The opinions expressed in the podcasts are not those of �鶹��Ƶ.

Or watch on YouTube:

Ready to learn more? See how to apply or reach out to the �鶹��Ƶ admissions team to find out if a health care program is the right fit for you.

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Angel Serrano, Certified Lab Assistant, University Medical Center – El Paso

Chris Wunder — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 20:14:19 +0000

How did you learn about �鶹��Ƶ?

I got to know about �鶹��Ƶ by searching phlebotomy courses in El Paso. There was an orientation scheduled for the day before, but took my chances and I went for a tour. While I was there, I tested and was able to secure a spot in the phlebotomy course.

What was your experience like as a student in the Phlebotomy program?

My favorite experience was Externship and being able to see what my career would look like in real life. Throughout my program I was able to overcome my fear of needles by practicing on my classmates, and them practicing on me.

What would you say is one specific thing you appreciated about your education at �鶹��Ƶ?

I feel my externship really allowed me to get the feel for what my workplace would be like, while getting the ability to make connections in my work environment. I found my first job at University Medical Center’s Main Campus working night shift after graduating.

Would you recommend �鶹��Ƶ? Why?

I would recommend �鶹��Ƶ to others. I feel the schedule really helped out while I still needed to work while attending school.

Do you want to share your story, or maybe you want to update us on what’s happening in your career now? ��

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How to Get Hired as a Medical Assistant After Graduation

Chris Wunder — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 00:25:22 +0000

Hear From Suzanne Biggs, Career Services Advisor at �鶹��Ƶ

Graduation may feel like the finish line, but for healthcare students, it’s really the starting line. Earning your diploma is an incredible accomplishment, but landing your first job as a medical assistant requires a different set of skills, including confidence, professionalism and a willingness to keep learning.

In this episode of , host Nohelani Graf sits down with Suzanne Biggs, Career Services Advisor at Pima��Medical Institute and a former medical assistant and practice manager, to discuss what separates graduates who get hired quickly from those who struggle to break into the field.

Drawing from more than a decade of healthcare leadership and mentoring students every day, Biggs shares practical advice on navigating the transition from the classroom to the workplace and why technical skills are only one part of building a successful healthcare career.

If you’re preparing to graduate or wondering how to stand out in a competitive job market, this episode offers an honest look at what employers value most and how you can position yourself for long-term success.

“Medical assisting really is your foot in the door to healthcare. The career you choose is truly at your fingertips.”
— Suzanne Biggs, Career Services Advisor, �鶹��Ƶ

For Biggs, becoming a medical assistant wasn’t the end goal, it was the beginning of a career that eventually led her into clinical leadership, practice management and now higher education. Looking back, she says one of the biggest surprises wasn’t the job itself, but realizing how many career opportunities opened because she started as a medical assistant.

She encourages students to think beyond their first position and recognize that experience in patient care can become a foundation for careers in management, nursing, physician assistant studies, healthcare administration and more.

That perspective shapes how she works with students today. Through resume workshops, interview coaching and one-on-one career guidance, she helps graduates understand that employers are hiring more than technical ability, they’re hiring professionalism, reliability and potential.

“You come out of school with a fabulous foundation, but you still don’t know everything. Employers want to see that you’re willing to learn.”
— Suzanne Biggs

According to Biggs, one of the biggest misconceptions new graduates have is believing that submitting a resume is enough to secure a job. In today’s hiring environment, competition is real, and employers are looking closely at how candidates present themselves throughout the hiring process.

That preparation starts long before graduation. �鶹��Ƶ’s Career Services team works with students throughout their program to develop resumes optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS), conduct mock interviews and prepare students to confidently communicate their skills and strengths.

Biggs also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a growth mindset.

Healthcare changes constantly, and successful medical assistants understand they will continue learning long after graduation. Students who demonstrate humility, adaptability and professionalism often make the strongest first impression with employers.

Professionalism extends well beyond the interview.

Showing up on time, communicating effectively, supporting teammates and demonstrating reliability all contribute to building trust—not only with patients, but with supervisors and coworkers as well.

“Your management team is paying attention to how you behave at work—whether you’re dependable, flexible and willing to go above and beyond.”
— Suzanne Biggs

Beyond technical knowledge, Biggs believes confidence plays a significant role in helping graduates succeed.

She has noticed many students underestimate themselves, often hesitating to speak up or advocate for their abilities. One student in particular stood out because she approached every opportunity with confidence, curiosity and a clear vision for her future.

Biggs hopes more graduates develop that same belief in themselves.

“If I could pull that confidence out of one student and plant it into every other student, we’d be in great shape.”
— Suzanne Biggs

Throughout the conversation, Biggs also reflects on the emotional side of healthcare.

She recalls patients she’ll never forget—including a young woman experiencing a mental health crisis and another who arrived unexpectedly with serious injuries. Those experiences reinforced why she chose healthcare in the first place and continue to inspire the guidance she provides students today.

Whether working directly with patients or mentoring future healthcare professionals, Biggs believes success ultimately comes down to compassion, teamwork and a commitment to lifelong learning.

In this episode, you will learn:

Why graduation is only the beginning of a healthcare career
What employers look for beyond technical skills
How �鶹��Ƶ prepares students through resume workshops, mock interviews and career coaching
Why a growth mindset is one of the most valuable qualities new graduates can demonstrate
Common mistakes that can hurt a job search—and how to avoid them
The importance of professionalism, communication and teamwork in healthcare
How confidence and self-belief influence career success
Why medical assisting can serve as a gateway to careers in nursing, leadership and healthcare management
How mentorship and strong support systems help new graduates succeed during their first 90 days on the job
Why compassion and patient relationships remain at the heart of every healthcare career

Who this episode is for

Anyone preparing to graduate from a medical assisting program, exploring a career in healthcare or wondering how to successfully transition from the classroom into their first professional healthcare role.

Watch Episode 6: How to Get Hired as a Medical Assistant After Graduation

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of �鶹��Ƶ.

Beyond the Episode

Getting your first healthcare job can feel intimidating, but opportunities for trained medical assistants continue to grow as healthcare systems expand and outpatient care increases. While employers certainly value technical competency, today’s hiring managers are equally focused on professionalism, communication, adaptability and a willingness to learn—qualities Suzanne Biggs says often determine long-term success.

At �鶹��Ƶ, students receive more than hands-on clinical training. Career Services Advisors work alongside students throughout their educational journey, providing resume assistance, interview preparation, career workshops and employer connections designed to help graduates confidently enter the workforce.

If you’re looking for a healthcare career that offers multiple pathways for growth, medical assisting can be an excellent place to begin. Many professionals use the experience they gain as a medical assistant to pursue careers in nursing, healthcare leadership, physician assistant studies and other advanced healthcare roles.

Ready to start your healthcare career?

Learn more about �鶹��Ƶ’s Medical Assistant Certificate Program, explore the admissions process or connect with an admissions representative to discover whether medical assisting is the right fit for your future.

The post How to Get Hired as a Medical Assistant After Graduation appeared first on �鶹��Ƶ.

The Purpose Behind the Practice: Why Allied Health Is a Smart Career Move

Barry Keyles — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 00:08:43 +0000

Three Pima Medical Students on Finding Their Path in Allied Health

Not sure where to start in health care? You are not alone. In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, host Nohelani Graf sits down with three �鶹��Ƶ students, each at a different point in their journey, each drawn to a different path. Preliyah is training to become a dental assistant. Yvonne is studying to become a medical assistant. Jacque is working toward her veterinary assistant certificate, with plans to continue directly into the Veterinary Technician program.

Three programs. Three stories. One common thread: they showed up before they felt completely ready, and it changed everything.

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“When people go into a hospital, they go in asking for or seeking help. These people want to be heard. They want to be seen. They want to be told that it is going to be okay at the end of the day.”

-Yvonne Cantabrana, medical assistant student, �鶹��Ƶ

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What comes through in every conversation is that these students did not choose health care because it was easy or certain. They chose it because caring for others is something they were already doing. Preliyah knew she wanted to work with teeth since she was a child. Jacque found her calling after watching a veterinary assistant comfort her through one of the hardest moments of her life. Yvonne took six years away from school, saw someone she loved push through every obstacle to become a nurse and decided if her cousin could do it, so could she.

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“She has four kids, and she did it. If she can do it, why can’t I?”

-Yvonne Cantabrana, medical assistant student, �鶹��Ƶ

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In this episode, you will learn:

Why students from very different backgrounds all found their way into allied health and what drew each of them to their specific program
What the first weeks of hands-on training actually feel like, including the moments of doubt and the moments that confirmed everything
How Pima Medical’s clinical externship program places students in real-world settings before graduation, and what students discovered once they arrived
How Jacque is balancing motherhood and school by working with her advisor to find a schedule that fits her life, including evening classes from 6 to 10 p.m.
Why Preliyah plans to return to Pima Medical after completing her dental assistant certificate to pursue the dental hygiene program
What the student community at Pima Medical actually feels like, from the instructors who walk you through every step, to the classmates who become your support system
Why the allied health field has room for people who are still figuring out exactly where they want to go

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Who this episode is for: Anyone considering a first step into health care, career-changers who are not sure which program fits their life and parents or working adults wondering whether they can make it work around everything else they are already carrying.

The opinions expressed in the podcasts are not those of �鶹��Ƶ.

You can also watch on Voices of Vital Care’s website:

Ready to learn more? See how to apply or reach out to the �鶹��Ƶ admissions team to find out which program is the right fit for you.

The post The Purpose Behind the Practice: Why Allied Health Is a Smart Career Move appeared first on �鶹��Ƶ.

Find a Healthcare Career at �鶹��Ƶ

Barry Keyles — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 23:12:52 +0000

Our Denver campus was recently featured on Colorado and Company! Check out what makes our students stand out and see all the programs offered in Colorado and all of our other locations.��

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�鶹��Ƶ Is Helping Fill Arizona’s Healthcare Workforce Gap

Barry Keyles — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:31:24 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ was recently featured on KGUN 9 for helping address Arizona’s growing need for skilled healthcare professionals.

The post �鶹��Ƶ Is Helping Fill Arizona’s Healthcare Workforce Gap appeared first on �鶹��Ƶ.

Tucson Campus Featured on 13 News: See How Future Nurses Train for Real-World Care

Barry Keyles — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 16:21:00 +0000

Our Tucson campus was recently featured on 13 News, highlighting how students gain hands-on experience as they prepare for careers in healthcare.

Jennifer Morelli, Nursing Program Director at our Tucson campus, discusses the importance of real-world training and how students build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in nursing.

The post Tucson Campus Featured on 13 News: See How Future Nurses Train for Real-World Care appeared first on �鶹��Ƶ.

�鶹��Ƶ Gives Students Real-World Healthcare Experience Through Simulation Training

Barry Keyles — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 16:21:59 +0000

Denver7 visited �鶹��Ƶ’s Denver campus to see how students use advanced patient simulators to gain hands-on healthcare experience and build the skills needed for real-world careers.

The post �鶹��Ƶ Gives Students Real-World Healthcare Experience Through Simulation Training appeared first on �鶹��Ƶ.