Jesus "Andy" Meza
Respiratory Therapy Graduate from Pima Medical Institute
I began working toward a degree in biology after high school, but after evaluating job opportunities, I realized I was looking for more hands on and started considering the medical field. After researching, I chose the Respiratory Therapy program at Pima Medical Institute and was able to begin within a couple weeks.
It is a very intensive program. It wasn't easy, but I found staying on top of my classwork and communicating with my instructors was the key. When it came time for my clinical rotation, I got some great advice from a preceptor who encouraged me to jump in rather than just observe. I took this to heart and became a better therapist. I graduated in February 2020, right before the COVID pandemic. My goal upon graduation was to obtain a travel assignment and go where needed. My first travel position was in New Jersey at East Orange General Hospital, and my first day I covered the ER and part of the ICU. It was overwhelming at times, but I just kept remembering my instructors' words. Since then (2020) I have been on seven travel assignments in New York, Texas, Colorado, Oregon and Arizona and experienced rural hospitals as well as the number one respiratory institute in the world. I have been blessed with so many opportunities and have learned so much over that time.
Pima Medical certainly prepared me for my career. All of my instructors were really amazing! They each brought a different type of expertise and I benefited from all of them.