Tom McNamara, Chief Operating OfficerBrookline College is rethinking how healthcare education works for the people already powering the system. Serving students across Arizona and New Mexico, the college focuses on flexible, career-driven pathways into nursing and allied health—designed specifically for working adults who can’t afford to step away from their jobs.
That reality is widespread. More than 70 percent of frontline healthcare workers in the U.S. say they want to become nurses, yet leaving a paycheck—or employer-sponsored benefits—is often not an option. Many are already in patient-facing roles such as certified nursing assistants, medical assistants, and patient care technicians, balancing work, family, and financial responsibilities. Traditional nursing programs weren’t built for them. Brookline’s are.
“The people capable of filling the healthcare workforce gap are already working in the system. Our role is to give them a path to advance,” says Tom McNamara, Chief Operating Officer, Unitek Learning.
As healthcare systems face persistent staffing shortages, particularly in nursing, Brookline’s model addresses both access and urgency—creating a pipeline of trained professionals without pulling talent out of the workforce.
Structure That Supports Success
How does structured program design help working students stay on track academically?
Flexibility alone isn’t enough. Brookline pairs it with a high level of structure to keep students on track. Programs follow predictable schedules, enabling students to plan around shifts and family obligations. Real-time monitoring of attendance and performance allows faculty and advisors to intervene early, while embedded tutoring and advising provide continuous support.
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The people capable of filling the healthcare workforce gap are already working in the system. Our role is to give them a path to advance.
Accelerated programs move efficiently but maintain rigor. Curriculum aligns with licensure requirements and employer expectations, with clear benchmarks for clinical readiness. Data-driven insights inform ongoing improvements, ensuring graduates are prepared not just to pass exams, but to perform in real-world settings.
“We’re not just creating access—we’re creating outcomes,” McNamara adds. “Our focus is on preparing graduates who can step into a clinical environment and contribute from day one.”
From Classroom to Clinical Practice
Why is combining online learning with hands-on training essential for healthcare education effectiveness?
Brookline’s hybrid model blends online learning with hands-on training. Students build foundational knowledge online, then apply it in skills labs, simulation environments, and supervised clinical rotations. Each phase reinforces the last, building both competence and confidence.
Close partnerships with healthcare providers help shape the curriculum in real time. Employers provide input on evolving workforce needs and skill expectations, ensuring alignment between training and practice. The result: graduates who are workforce-ready and able to integrate quickly into care teams.
In what way does Brookline’s approach support career mobility for working adult students?
At its core, Brookline College is built around a simple idea—meeting students where they are. For McNamara, a first-generation college graduate, that mission is personal. Expanding access to education isn’t just about enrollment; it’s about enabling mobility for those already doing the work.
