What happens when a patient stops breathing… and everyone in the room looks to the nurse?

In this powerful Nurses Week special of Voices of Vital Care, Nursing Program Director Jennifer Morelli takes us inside the real pressure, responsibility, and emotional weight nurses carry every day.

From simulation labs and clinical rotations to life-or-death moments at bedside, this episode reveals what nursing school is really like, how students are trained to stay calm under pressure, and why compassion matters just as much as clinical skill.

You’ll hear:

• What nurses are thinking during emergencies
• How nursing students are trained for real-world patient care
• The emotional reality of becoming a nurse
• Why communication and confidence save lives
• The truth about accelerated nursing programs
• Career paths in nursing most people don’t know exist

Whether you're considering nursing school, exploring healthcare careers, or celebrating a nurse this Nurses Week, this conversation offers a real look into the people behind patient care.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute.

If your dog or cat collapsed right in front of you, would you know what to do in the first 60 seconds? Most pet owners wouldn’t—and those first moments can mean everything.

In this powerful episode of Voices of Vital Care, we sit down with a former first responder turned pet CPR instructor Kate Klasen of Bishop’s Mission, to break down the life-saving skills every pet parent needs but almost no one has.

From recognizing critical warning signs to performing CPR correctly based on your pet’s size, this conversation delivers practical, real-world guidance you can act on immediately.

You’ll learn how to assess emergencies, what vital signs to watch, how to build a pet first aid kit, and the biggest mistakes people make when panic sets in. Beyond the techniques, this episode reveals something deeper. How knowledge creates confidence, and how everyday people can step up in life-or-death moments for the animals they love.

Whether you’re a pet owner, considering a path in animal care, or exploring healthcare-adjacent careers, this episode shows how purpose, preparation, and quick action can make all the difference.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Take 10 minutes today to learn something that could save your pet’s life. Hit subscribe, share this with a fellow pet owner, and start preparing now—because in an emergency, you won’t have time to figure it out.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute.

LINK TO ANIMAL Baseline Temps:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZjMrQL8DmEgjdYcPvdOKyNnEZztbhB8/view?usp=sharing

What if dental hygiene isn’t just about cleanings, but about preventing disease, building patient trust, and changing lives?

In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, we sit down with Dr. Kimberly Peacher, Dean of Academic Innovation for Dental Hygiene at Pima Medical Institute in Houston, to uncover the truth about one of healthcare’s most misunderstood careers.

From her unexpected journey into the field to the powerful connection between oral health and whole-body wellness, this conversation reveals why dental hygienists play a critical role in modern healthcare, and why demand is growing fast.

You’ll learn:

• Why dental hygiene is more than “just cleanings”
• How oral health connects to conditions like diabetes and systemic disease
• The real day-to-day experience of working closely with patients
• How you can enter the field faster than traditional healthcare paths
• Why this career offers flexibility, stability, and long-term growth
• What kind of person thrives in this profession

Whether you're exploring a career in allied health, considering a pivot, or simply curious about opportunities beyond nursing and medicine, this episode breaks down a path you may not have considered, but should.

If you’ve been thinking about healthcare but don’t know where to start, this might be your sign.

Take the next step. Do the research. Make the call. Your future could start here.

If you’re the kind of person who wants a career that matters, this is your channel.
Subscribe and start building that future.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute.

Most people think healthcare is all doctors and nurses. But behind every patient visit is an entire system of professionals making care possible.

In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, we explore non-clinical healthcare careers like medical administrative assistants, healthcare administration, and leadership roles that keep the entire system running.

Blake Bowen, a four-time graduate and healthcare leader of Pima Medical Institute, shares how he built his career from the front office to owning his own company. From scheduling and insurance coordination to strategy and system design, this conversation reveals how non-clinical roles directly impact patient care, operations, and the future of healthcare.

If you are interested in healthcare but do not see yourself in a clinical role, this episode will open your eyes to new career paths, growth opportunities, and leadership potential.

You will learn:

• What non-clinical healthcare careers really look like day to day
• How medical administrative assistants and healthcare leaders impact patient outcomes
• The career path from entry-level roles to executive leadership
• Why healthcare systems depend on behind-the-scenes professionals
• How to know if a non-clinical healthcare career is right for you

Healthcare does not run on titles. It runs on people who organize, lead, and make care possible.

Stop guessing your next move. Subscribe and start exploring real healthcare careers that go beyond what you see on the surface.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute.

When a patient cannot breathe, respiratory therapists are the specialists making life saving decisions in real time.

In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, April Ramirez, Respiratory Therapist and Director of Clinical Education at Pima Medical Institute, breaks down what respiratory therapy really is, where these professionals work, and why their role is critical across healthcare settings.

From managing ventilators in the ICU to stabilizing premature infants in neonatal transport, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a career many people do not fully understand. Learn how respiratory therapists operate across entire hospitals, respond to emergencies, and play a key role in patient outcomes during some of the most critical moments in care.

This episode also explores career pathways, education requirements, common misconceptions, and what it takes mentally and emotionally to succeed in respiratory therapy.

If you are considering a career in healthcare but want something dynamic, impactful, and fast paced, this episode gives you a clear inside look.

Topics covered include:

- What respiratory therapists do in hospitals and emergency settings ICU care,

ventilators, and airway management

- Neonatal and pediatric respiratory care

- Career paths beyond bedside care including sleep studies and research

Education, certifications, and how to succeed in training

- The emotional reality of working in critical care

- How technology and AI are shaping the future of respiratory therapy

Respiratory therapy is more than breathing treatments. It is critical thinking, rapid response, and patient advocacy when every second matters.

Subscribe to Voices of Vital Care for real stories, career insights, and behind the scenes perspectives on healthcare roles that keep the system moving.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute.

What does an occupational therapist do and why are more people discovering this career later in life?

In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, we explore occupational therapy (OT), a healthcare career focused on helping people regain independence, rebuild daily life skills, and return to what matters most.

Chris Sorrells, Senior Director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program in Denver at Pima Medical Institute, breaks down:

• What “occupation” really means in occupational therapy
• The difference between occupational therapy and physical therapy
• How OTs help patients recover from stroke, injury, and life-changing conditions
• Why this is one of the most diverse and flexible careers in healthcare
• How people in their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond are switching into OT

From working with newborns and children to helping adults adapt after injury or illness, occupational therapy is about more than recovery. It is about restoring independence, dignity, and confidence.

If you are exploring healthcare careers, considering a career change, or looking for meaningful work with real impact, this episode gives you a clear look into the world of occupational therapy.

Subscribe to Voices of Vital Care for real stories, career insights, and a deeper look into the roles shaping the future of healthcare.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute.

Between classes, work, family, and everything in between, many students are not just busy. They are overwhelmed.

In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, we take a real look at student mental health, burnout, and stress management, especially for those pursuing careers in healthcare and allied health fields.

Host Nohelani Graf is joined by:

• Michelle Carlin, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Monarch Health and Wellness
• Brenna Drago, Student Services Leader at Pima Medical Institute

Together, they break down:

• The real causes of student stress, anxiety, and burnout
• How COVID changed social skills and mental health in students
• Warning signs your stress is no longer manageable
• The physical effects of chronic stress on your body
• Why students struggle to ask for help and how to overcome it
• Practical tools like breathing techniques and grounding exercises
• How to balance school, work, and life without burning out
• The truth about resilience, guilt, and feeling like quitting

This conversation is for anyone trying to hold everything together while building a future in healthcare.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or questioning if you can keep going, this episode will remind you that you are not alone and you are not meant to carry it alone.

Subscribe to Voices of Vital Care and be part of a community that supports the people doing the work that keeps care moving forward.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute.

What is it really like to work in pediatric nursing and how do you get started in a healthcare career?

In this episode of Voices of Vital Care, registered nurse and instructor Teri Gearon, RN, shares her journey into nursing, her experience in pediatric patient care, and how pathways like becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant can open the door to a meaningful career in healthcare.

Pediatric nursing is more than treating children. It is about building trust with families, communicating across all ages from infants to teenagers, and delivering compassionate care during some of the most emotional moments in a patient’s life.

In this conversation, we explore:

- The difference between CNA and RN roles in healthcare

- How to start a career in nursing or allied health

- The growing demand for skilled and compassionate nurses

- The emotional and rewarding reality of working in pediatric care

- How hands on training and simulation labs prepare students for real patient

care

If you are considering a career in healthcare, nursing, pediatric care, or allied health, this episode provides real insight into the skills, mindset, and pathways needed to succeed.

Subscribe to Voices of Vital Care you might be one episode away from finding your future career.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and guests, and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, stance, or position of Pima Medical Institute.

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