by the Flight Attendant Nextdoor
If you’ve been following my journey as The Flight Attendant Nextdoor, you know I’m on a beautiful and slightly nerve-wracking pivot from aviation to healthcare. I’ve spent years flying around the world, but this season of my life is about planting new purpose driven roots, learning new skills, and stepping confidently into a second career that’s been calling my name for a lifetime.
Today, I took the TEAS 7 exam — a major stepping stone toward nursing school. This moment represents months of micro study sessions by air, quiet early mornings with prep books I check out from the library, and intentional choices that support both my health and my goals.
This post isn’t just about a test. It’s about what it looks like to balance ambition, wellness, and a nontraditional schedule; especially if, like me, you’re doing it while working in aviation. If you’re studying for the TEAS or planning your own career pivot, I hope this gives you insight, encouragement, and a few practical tips to make your journey smoother.
What the TEAS 7 Exam Is (and Why It Matters)
For anyone new here, the TEAS 7 stands for Test of Essential Academic Skills, Version 7. It’s a standardized test used by many nursing and allied health programs in the U.S. to evaluate applicants’ academic readiness.
The test covers four main subject areas:
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Reading Comprehension – Understanding passages, identifying key ideas and details, integrating knowledge, and drawing conclusions.
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Math – Arithmetic, algebra, measurement, data interpretation, and geometry.
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Science – Anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biology, and scientific reasoning.
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English and Language Usage – Grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
Think of it as a combination of high-school core knowledge with a healthcare twist. It doesn’t just test what you know — it also measures how well you can think critically and manage your time under pressure.
For me, this test was one of the first major “official” steps on my path from the skies to scrubs.
Why I Call This Season “Grounded in Care”
As a flight attendant, I’m used to being in constant motion; flying from one city to the next, living out of a small suitcase as needed, and adjusting to time zones as if it’s second nature. But Grounded in Care is my personal reminder that sometimes the most important journeys happen on the ground.
This chapter of my life is about being intentional. About caring for myself in ways that support new goals. About building a future where wellness, purpose, and community intersect. All of which Im really into.
So yes — even when I’m doing my thing in the air, my focus is also on what’s happening next on the ground.
My Sky High Study Schedule
Flying well under 80 hours a month gave me room to build structure around my studies. My galley became my mini classroom.
Between inflight service and safety checks, I’d slide in reading passages, practice math problems, or review anatomy. Passengers are naturally curious, so when they’d see my notes or books out, the questions would roll in:
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“Are you studying to become a nurse?”
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“What’s that homework?”
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“Is that the cardiovascular system?”
Those little conversations often reminded me why I’m doing this. People light up when they witness you chasing a new dream — it sparks something in them, too. And if you’re a frequent flyer, expanding your horizon, expect those moments. They make studying inflight surprisingly meaningful because encouragement is offered along the way.
My inflight study essentials included:
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A TEAS prep book
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water bottle (hydration is key!)
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Highlighters and flashcards
I didn’t study every single flight. But I made my downtime count.
The Day Before My TEAS Exam
The day before testing, I made a conscious decision to prepare my mind, body, and space; not just cram information.
Here’s what I did (here a little, there a little):
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✅ Specialist appointment in the morning (because real life doesn’t pause when you’re chasing goals).
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👕 Picked up a few new scrub sets for my upcoming phlebotomy externship — nothing boosts confidence like gear that makes you feel the part.
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🧠 Light review session, focusing on weak spots without overwhelming myself. Either i know it... or I dont.
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💧 Hydrated intentionally throughout the day.
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🌿 Took magnesium glycinate before bed to relax my body and help me sleep deeply.
This rhythm reminded me that test prep isn’t just mental — it’s physical too. I didn’t want to walk into my exam tired, dehydrated, or on edge.
Test Day Morning: Calm, Hydrated & Ready
I woke up early. No rushing. No chaos.
I started the morning with some last-minute math review; not a deep dive, just enough to get my brain warm. Then I showered, got dressed, and headed out to pick up my daughter, who sweetly dropped me off at the testing center.
My breakfast was simple and nourishing:
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A smoothie made with banana, strawberry, blueberry, sea moss, and chia seeds
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A sprinkle of Brahmi on top for mental clarity
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Multi Vitamins, NAD, and resveratrol — my little brain and body boosters
No caffeine. Just hydration, nutrients, and calm energy.
My anxiety, surprisingly, was steady. I felt hydrated, rested, and ready.
My TEAS 7 Testing Experience
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Reading Comprehension
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Math
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Science
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English & Language Usage
I exhaled as the first section popped up on the screen. Reading has always been my strong suit, and that gave me a gentle confidence boost as I eased into the exam. I found myself in the zone; pulling out key details, analyzing ideas, and moving through passages with ease.
Then came Math.
Math and I have an on again off again relationship. (Its complicated). I hoped for a heavy dose of solving for x, fractions, decimals, and percentages but what I got was a surprise geometry party.
What showed up on my Math section:
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Geometry questions about length, width, and degrees of circles
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Radius calculations
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Metric conversions
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Ratios and proportions
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Charts and scatter plots
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Mean, median, and mode
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Exponents and order of operations
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Fractions and place value
The geometry and measurement questions definitely made me cringe a bit. It wasn’t what I prepped for the most, but I pushed through. This is exactly why taking the test is so valuable: it shows you what to sharpen next time.
Science came next — and honestly, this section lit me up. I’ve always loved learning about the human body, and all those review sessions while inflight paid off. Then I closed out with English & Language Usage, which felt like a smooth landing.
My Top Scoring Sections
When I got my results, two subjects stood out as my strongest: Reading and Science.
My top 5 scoring topics were:
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Key ideas and details
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Integration of knowledge and ideas
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Using language and vocabulary to express ideas in writing
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Scientific reasoning
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Chemistry
I smiled when I saw that. Those were the sections (well the science) I genuinely enjoyed studying, and it showed.
My Study Resources and What Actually Helped
A few months ago, I checked out several TEAS prep books from the library. They became my companions on layovers, morning flights, and coffee shop study dates.
My favorite study methods:
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Practice problems — to build endurance and calm test anxiety.
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Breaking down weak spots into short daily drills.
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Studying inflight during low-traffic moments instead of doom-scrolling.
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Active recall using flashcards instead of just rereading notes.
And the best part? I can finally return those heavy prep books to the library and give my tote bags a break for a few months.
Post-Test Reflections: More Than a Score
When I walked out of the testing center, I didn’t just feel “done.” I felt proud.
Not because I aced every question (I didn’t).
Not because I had all the answers (I didn’t).
But because I showed up for me.
I’ve learned that in any big transition, there are milestones that don’t look like glittering finish lines. They look like quiet steps; like sitting in a testing center on a weekday morning, heart calm, head clear, doing something you’ve dreamed about for years.
What’s Next on My “Grounded in Care” Journey
This is just one checkpoint. Up next for me:
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🩸 Phlebotomy certification exam
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🩺 Wrapping up my phlebotomy course’s final chapter and multiple practice tests
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🧠 Mastering the order of draw (a crucial skill for phlebotomists)
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✨ Continuing my math review as Im aware of my specific areas of weakness to sharpen geometry and metric conversion before my nursing program begins... although I'll be taught in the program too.
I get to check this box off my list. ✅
And that’s something worth celebrating.
If You’re Studying for the TEAS Too… Here’s What I’d Tell You
If you’re reading this because you’re on your own TEAS journey, here’s my honest advice:
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Build your own rhythm. Your study schedule doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. If you have an unconventional lifestyle job like mine, make it work for you.
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Fuel your body like it matters. Because it does. Clear focus starts with hydration, nutrition, and rest.
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Don’t fear the weak spots. They’ll guide your next steps. Take the test anyway.
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Make your why louder than your doubt. For me, my “why” is building a career rooted in care and that’s bigger than any test.
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Celebrate each milestone. Big or small.I came home and enjoyed my favorite ice cream.
Whether you’re a flight attendant, a mom,/grandmom a career shifter, or someone simply ready to chase a new dream; your journey is valid. And it’s absolutely doable.
From Jetways to Journeys in Care
Balancing study sessions with family, home, layovers, appointments, and work flights isn’t easy. But it’s worth it.
I hope my Grounded in Care Diaries remind you that career pivots aren’t about abandoning who you are — they’re about evolving, taking massive action and expanding (into the best version of YOU). ✨
Final Thoughts: Your Pivot Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Powerful
We often think we need the “perfect” schedule, the “perfect” test score, or the “perfect” timing to chase something new. But the truth is showing up imperfectly but consistently is what creates momentum. Kick analysis paralysis to the curb and make moves.
I didn’t score a perfect math section. I didn’t study in the most traditional way. But I showed up with intention, and that’s enough to keep going.
So whether you’re taking your TEAS exam soon, considering a new career path, or simply standing at the edge of a big decision — know this:
You don’t have to have it all figured out to take the first step.
You just have to take it.
And if you see a flight attendant in the galley flipping through flashcards on your next flight… it might just be me. 😉
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