Often glamorized on television, in shows like The Pitt and Scrubs, health care positions are becoming more difficult to fill as some employees say there is burnout, mental health issues and little pay contributing to the change in the workforce.
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that from the pandemic, aging populations and high stressors at work, health care positions and nursing jobs are becoming increasingly more difficult to fill. Additionally, it reported that over 52% of nurses leave their jobs due to insufficient staffing, making it more difficult to continue the vocation.
Pima Medical Institute, a private school for associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in a variety of health care fields, recognizes this need and strives to get more students through accelerated programs so they can begin working as soon as possible. The school also offers a nine month certificate program for students who want to begin working in the field as quickly as possible.
“As AI and technology changes its going to serve as an asset, but it’s never going to replace the people in health care,” said Pima Medical Institute’s campus director Mark Judy.
To hold a nursing license in Arizona, one must complete an accredited program of either an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in nursing and pass national and state exams to begin working.
In the first tests of 2026, Pima has an over 95% graduation rate, with only one failing test among the 22 graduates who tested. Pima’s Tucson location had over a 91% pass rate with only two out of the 23 test takers failing on their first try.
The 2025 report on first-time candidates for the National Council Licensure Exam, commonly known as NCLEX, reported that Arizona has one of the highest passing rates in the nation, with only 10 states scoring a 90% pass rate or higher in 2026. Other states included California, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Colorado, North Dakota and South Dakota and the island territory of Guam.
“We have some students who come in and are surprised about what it entails, and their education has to include the skills for entry-level employment,” Judy said.
He explained that personality traits, past work experience, and other factors help the admissions team work with incoming students to find a career that suits them.
Pima has programs for a range of medical specialties, including dentistry, nursing, medical coding, pharmacy, surgery technician and more.
The accelerated program helps students become eligible to take the state test in just two years, with no prerequisites, allowing students to commit their time fully to the subjects that interest them.
Other associate programs can be as quick as nine months, with some students eligible opting to take some classes online to get their education without sacrificing
Pima Medical Institute has 16 campuses nationwide in seven states with four campuses in Arizona in Phoenix, Mesa and Tucson. For more information visit Open House | Pima Medical Institute
To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).
Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.
Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.
Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.
Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.
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