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Name: Pam Laughter
Program: Respiratory Therapy |
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A lot of people don't know the difference between a job and
a career. However, Pam Laughter certainly does.
A couple of years ago, Pam thought she had it all. A good
job bartending, the camaraderie of friends that frequented
the bar and so what if she had to undergo some passive smoke
inhalation. The job paid very well. She went to Las Vegas
twice a year and was making what she described as "tons
of money." |
Meantime, Pam was thinking about what she wanted
to do with the rest of her life. Did she really want to wake
up at age forty and still be mixing Rusty Nails, Screwdrivers
and wine coolers or did she want to do something that would
make a difference in the world and in her life? Showing wisdom
beyond her 27 years, Pam decided to look into finding a different
path. She made an appointment with Leanna Konechne at Pima Medical
Institute to talk about the various course options.
The one course that fascinated Pam was Respiratory Therapy.
Pam knew she wanted to get a degree from this program. In a
little more than two years, Pam earned an associate's degree.
PMI eased Pam into the program with half days to start, but
she soon learned that she had to work hard to earn that degree.
"It was an accelerated program," Pam said "and
there was a lot of homework and reading. Everyday in school
was like five days at a regular college or at least it seemed
that way."
Pam has been working in Respiratory Therapy at a Tucson medical
Center for more than a year. She's registered with the state
of Arizona and is working on other accreditations ."PMI
made it clear that they will make every attempt to place graduates
in jobs and they came through for me."
"The people that I
work with at Tucson Medical Center are fabulous. We work 3:00
pm - 11:00 pm and have the best crew. We meet new and different
people every day. It's pretty exciting, too. I work in the intensive
care unit and the trauma unit in the emergency room. I just
love to go to work every day."
Pima Medical Institute has an excellent reputation. Pam said
that she has worked with several respiratory therapists since
graduation and she could almost pick out the ones from Pima
from just watching their work ethic and style with patients.
She attributes that dedication and strength of character to
the way PMI is run.
She also has big plans for the future. "Right now, I want
to travel and this degree will allow me to do that. After travel,
Pam is planning to go back to school to advance her knowledge
in respiratory care, which would mean a higher degree and a
higher pay scale.
For those who are uncertain about taking the 'leap,' Pam says,
"You know, two years really isn't that long to spend in
school; especially considering what you get out of it. With
this two-year degree, I can do hundreds of things, travel, and
see the world. For people that are just skimming through life,
like I was, this would be a great thing for them. It's just
a matter of taking that first step and signing up."
"Oh, and one more thing. I've got lots more self-confidence.
I can talk with other professional people and feel like I'm
on their level you know, converse rather than bringing them
a drink. I feel more intelligent than I did three years ago.
And I'm dating men who are not interested in just sitting at
a bar six nights a week."
Pam smiled and winked as she spoke that last sentence.
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