Pima Medical Institute - San Marcos — Attraction in San Marcos

TLDR: go to a traditional college, University or a subsidiary of either, rather than attending a private medical program.

I was part of their Respiratory Therapy program and I terminated my time at Pima. I want to make one point before I continue to my honest review.. I appreciate all the teachers individually as they have been extremely kind to me throughout my time on campus and I hold no ill thoughts of them personally.

Professionally and academically, I, and from what I know, other classmates believe there are a lot of issues that should be looked into for the benefit and longevity of the RT program, maybe even extending this to other programs, as I've heard a lot of comments from other students. The main reason I left was due to the fact that we are not respected as students on this campus. We are treated like we are back in grade school rather than being treated like adults. If we ever had problems, be it grade discrepancies or questions about the course, we would be reprimanded over it, rather than working together to find a better resolution. We were told to "deal with it, or there's the door". There is a grave lack in consistency between courses. Each teacher is radically different than the other and due to the speed and amount of times we change instructors it makes it difficult to keep up with each and every particular class standard. I feel this program is much too strict and point dependant which only adds to the abnormally large amount of stress we already deal with in our academics. We are asked to meet with our instructors if we need extra help. The problem with this is that, yes we can see any instructor, but we are always asked to see the one teaching the current class. When we go on our own to meet and try to get extra tutoring, the subject is never conveyed properly between the teachers. It gets very confusing and frustrating when we are learning new material. I believe this is one major reason why others, including myself have had such a hard time with this program. I feel they only truly care about their graduation rates since they are a newer campus. Students at this school and within this program need support and should be encouraged to speak their mind and voice concerns whenever needed. They should be given the same respect and integrity that the school asks of them. Until then, I don't believe they will be as successful as they hope for. An educator should not be a dictator, ruling a tattered kingdom of scared individuals. An educator should care about their students and help them reach for success. Good luck Pima, hope you clean up your programs and get your teachers on the...

I'm very frustrated after this experience. We adopted a puppy and were forced to take her here to get spayed. I understand everyone needs to learn somehow, but when we took the catheter IV bandage off there was a lottt of blood..that can happen, so fine, but additionally they nicked her when shaving her stomach (or who knows what else happened, but that's my guess). Again, these things happen, I understand that, I myself have worked at a vet clinic and a wildlife rehab facility, and am generally very sympathetic in this regard, but the staff's demenor (specifically the person "in charge," who I think was named Kimberely Williams) was what mostly upset me.

She called me to tell me what time I needed to pick my pup up from her procedure at 8:15 AT NIGHT the day before the surgery (who calls that late for anything, school or not!?). I was frustrated because I had scheduled work around this procedure, and the time I was originally told was drastically different than the pickup time I was told that evening. This of course isn't necessarily the clinic's fault, and was more of a miscommunication between the clinic and the adoption agency, but the fact that I was given vital information about the procdeure THAT LATE at night the day before is nuts.

When I confronted them about how this was unprofessional (admittedly I was a little heated) I was told very rudely "we aren't a business, we are a school"...apparently one that doesn't understand that we are entrusting our beloved pet's lives to them and deserve to be treated courteously and not told that "we are lucky to be seen by them" among other things.

All of that aside, if they are so focused on being a school that teaches veterinary practice, shouldn't teaching customer service and best practices when dealing with the public to their students be kind of key as well?

I knew when adopting that I would be required to get the spay done with the vets the adoption agency works with, but wasn't aware it was at a teaching school and would never do it again-at least not at this one.

Unlike us, if you have the option to pay a professional who understands that a spay procedure IS in fact a fairly major surgery,...

I was in the RT program San Marcos Campus and talking about the extensive ness and hard work needed to get thru was a challenge indeed. I had the opportunity to start out w Ms G and another group of great professors, then ended with Ms Castro & Mr. Smith and some new professors which were great as well. This program is no joke. It's hard, tests you, and I promise you those sleepless nights will be worth it. With that being said I was offered phone numbers after hours, tutoring, and if you knew me I ask a BUNCH of questions so I stayed after a lot. In between classes they would stop by the tables ask if I needed help with anything, just to say hello, or to reserve/open the lab. Of course the grading scale is NOT IDEAL but again RT is a serious role ... ask around this program isn't easy anywhere. This program takes alot but with Ms Castro and Mr. Smiths guidance I believe it's doable. Main advice ask ask ask. I canNOT leave out Ms. Marilyn Quindo that has helped me with EVERYTHING and kept my semesters in line with all that comes along with this program, she made my life easier!

Front desk girls are the best, personable, positive attitudes and trust me that's great to see after no sleep on some days. Thank you TARA!

Fast forward to now. (Still talk to Ms G) Ms.Castro/Mr. Smith is still in contact with me, helped me with some great advice with my boards, I continued to go on campus after being done, and now new grad interviews. This program has the ability to get you there you just need to give it the chance! Thanks always guys.

UPDATE: I've now started my career as a RRT @ Scripps and putting my knowledge and skills from school to the best of...