From Stay-at-Home Mom to Medical Assistant: Chula Vista Student Takes First Step

For the past several years, Whitney Buelna chose to put her professional goals on hold to focus on her family.

Despite holding an associate’s degree in biology and a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Whitney’s world revolved around raising her four young children while her husband served full-time in the military.

Now that all her kids are in school and her husband is preparing to retire from military service, Whitney decided it was time to start a career of her own. She wanted something meaningful, stable and flexible — experience she could take with her no matter where life led her family.

That’s why she chose to enroll as a Medical Assistant student at UEI College in Chula Vista.

Choosing a Career that Travels Anywhere

Life as a military spouse taught Whitney the value of adaptability. Over the years, her family has moved around the world, and with each relocation came the challenge of finding new opportunities.

Whitney knew that if she wanted a stable career one day, it would have to be one that’s in high demand regardless of which city or state she lived in. The healthcare field immediately stood out.

“Being a medical assistant, pretty much you can go anywhere with that,” she said. “It’s a career that moves with you, and that’s important to me and my family as we transition into this next chapter.”

The decision was also deeply personal. Having watched her grandfather struggle with illness growing up, Whitney developed a strong interest in healthcare and a desire to better understand the medical field. Her biology background always pulled her toward science, and she was eager to return to that passion.

And it so happens that it was a physician who pointed her toward UEI College for career training as a medical assistant.

“He told me it was a really good, hands-on school,” Whitney said. “He said when they’re hiring, they look for people who trained at places like UEI. And it’s almost like a direct line to a job.”

UEI’s Chula Vista campus was also just 20 minutes from her home, but convenience wasn’t the only factor in her decision to attend the school. Whitney was impressed that UEI offered weekend classes, allowing her to pursue her education while still being present for her kids.

“Even when the kids are at school during the day, I’m still juggling pick-ups, sports, and other activities,” she said. “Knowing I could take classes on weekends, when my husband is home, made a huge difference. It gave me the confidence that I could go back to school and succeed.”

Learning by Doing in the Medical Assistant Field

Now in her second month of the program, Whitney is thriving. She appreciates that UEI’s approach is rooted in real-world, hands-on learning rather than endless lectures.

“You’re not just sitting in class listening. You’re practicing,” she said. “We’ve already done injections, taken blood, prepared blood slides, and more. It makes me feel confident because I can correct mistakes now instead of later [while] on the job.”

One of the highlights of her experience has been her instructor, Patricia Junquera, whose support and expertise have helped Whitney feel comfortable and motivated.

“She stands right next to you and gives tips and tricks when you’re learning a new skill,” Whitney said. “It’s not intimidating. It’s supportive. She makes you feel like you belong here.”

“Whitney has shown tremendous dedication and passion for learning from the very start. She approaches every skill with focus and determination, and she’s quick to support and encourage her classmates as well,” Patricia said. “Her positive attitude and drive make her a standout student, and I am confident she will go far in the medical field.”

UEI’s Medical Assistant program is about more than earning a diploma. To Whitney, it’s the foundation for a long-term career in healthcare. She hopes to continue her education at some point after graduation, with long-term plans of becoming either a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or a Registered Nurse (RN).

“This is just the first step,” she said. “The MA program gives me the basic knowledge and experience of how a doctor’s office or hospital works, and from there I can keep learning and growing.”

She also sees the field as one that will keep her engaged throughout her career.

“That’s one of the coolest things about being a medical assistant: it keeps evolving,” Whitney said. “There’s always something new to learn, and that keeps me excited.”

For those interested in becoming a medical assistant, Whitney suggests they ignore any reluctance of intimidation and “just go for it.” The process of learning, overcoming, and ultimately succeeding helps students develop a level of confidence they may never have known they had.

“For me, going to UEI College isn’t just about learning new skills,” she said. “It’s where I’m building a future for me and my family.”