Marissa Mendez Lievano is a 2022 graduate of the Practical Nursing program at our Aurora campus.
How did you learn about Pima Medical Institute?
I previously completed the medical assistant program and loved all the hands-on experience I got. So, when it was time to advance my career, I knew where I wanted to start. I wanted to help people and do more than be a CMA. When I saw the practical nursing program and how short the program was, I knew that was what I wanted to do.
What was your experience like as a student in your program(s)?
Nursing school was one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life. We got a lot of information in a short amount of time. But I loved being able to see exactly what the field was like by having my practicals in real settings. That’s how I found my dream job in Hospice. I would’ve never thought that’s what I wanted to do unless I had done my practical there. It’s a very demanding field, but in the end, I felt it was worth it. I also had to learn that getting straight A’s wasn’t the priority, and my attention span got worse, which is how I found out I actually had ADHD. Once I knew that the priority was pushing through and learning the information, I felt very accomplished on my graduation day.
What would you say is one specific thing you appreciated about your education at Pima Medical Institute?
I appreciated going to my practicals and practicing the new skills I learned on real patients. I did Hospice for about three years, and since then I’ve worked in senior living communities, closely with assisted-living residents and memory care residents. There is a specific community I would love to work in in New York, and I’ve been gaining experience to help me reach that goal.
Would you recommend Pima Medical Institute? Why?
Yes, it was a very hands-on school, and though it was very stressful, I learned a lot and felt well prepared for my career. I’ve learned that no one will take the initiative to take care of you, so you have to make space to take breaks, eat your meals, use the restroom when you need to, and advocate for yourself. I’ve also had to learn that you can be compassionate and still put up an emotional barrier so you don’t take work home and can have peace of mind. Know that you do the best that you can as long as you put your heart and mind into it.
Do you want to share your story, or maybe you want to update us on what’s happening in your career now? Reach out, we’d love to hear from you!
