Grounded in Care Diaries By The Flight Attendant Nextdoor
Stepping Into Healthcare as the Traveling Student Nurse
For years, my wings have taken me from city to city, connecting with people at high altitudes. From greeting nervous first-time flyers to comforting passengers during turbulence, my days in the sky have always been about care, calm, and connection. But over time, my heart began to whisper a new calling — one rooted in healing, purpose, and grounded compassion.
That calling is nursing.
As an aviation professional pivoting into healthcare, I’m taking a step-by-step approach to build a dual career that blends service, empathy, and wellness. This post isn’t just about my transition — it’s a roadmap for anyone wondering how to become a nurse efficiently, especially while balancing a busy lifestyle.
Let’s demystify:
The many paths to becoming a nurse
The difference between LPN, RN, and BSN
The realistic timeline from start to finish (even part-time)
And how the flight attendant lifestyle surprisingly aligns with nursing.
Flight Attendant vs. Nurse: More in Common Than You Think
Before I started researching my return to science for nursing, I didn’t consider how much these two worlds overlap. On paper, they seem completely different — one’s in the air, the other’s in a hospital. But in reality, both careers thrive on compassion, critical thinking, and grace under pressure.
| Flight Attendant Duties | Nurse Duties | Common Ground |
|---|---|---|
| Ensuring passenger safety | Ensuring patient safety | Calm in emergencies |
| Providing comfort and reassurance | Providing care and emotional support | Empathy and communication |
| Managing in-flight health issues | Managing patient health needs | Problem-solving |
| Long shifts, nights, holidays | Long shifts, nights, holidays | Flexibility and resilience |
Both professions require emotional intelligence, teamwork, adaptability, and genuine love for people. Whether I’m offering a directions to the bano or taking vitals, it’s the same spirit of service; just expressed in a new uniform.
Both roles require:
Strong interpersonal skills
Empathy and emotional intelligence
Quick decision-making
The ability to work well under stress
A love for serving others
For me, this overlap confirms what my intuition was already whispering: I’m not leaving my identity behind—I’m evolving it.
Why Nursing?
Healthcare is evolving, and nurses are at the center of that change. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 177,400 nursing positions are projected to open annually through 2032 due to retirements, population growth, and healthcare expansion. I’m excited about the attention to staffing ratios.
There’s also a rising demand for phlebotomists and entry-level healthcare professionals, as hospitals and labs report ongoing shortages. The opportunity to build a stable, fulfilling, and flexible career in healthcare has never been greater.
For me, nursing combines everything I love; science, using my intuition, connection, travel w/ schedule flexibility, and the ability to make a real difference. That’s the type of time I’m on these days.
Understanding the Nursing Pathways
If you’re exploring nursing school options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Lets breakdown, LPN, RN, BSN and simplify it:
LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)
Length: 12–18 months (certificate or diploma)
Exam: NCLEX-PN
Role: Provides basic nursing care under an RN or physician
Settings: Long-term care, rehab, clinics, hospitals
Why choose: Fastest entry into the field
RN (Registered Nurse)
Length: 2–3 years (Associate Degree or BSN)
Exam: NCLEX-RN
Role: Performs assessments, administers meds, manages patient care
Settings: Hospitals, outpatient clinics, travel nursing
Why choose: Broader scope and higher pay
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Length: 4 years total (or bridge from RN)
Exam: NCLEX-RN
Role: Same as RN, plus leadership and management opportunities
Why choose: Opens doors for advanced practice or graduate programs
Many career changers, (myself included) choose the step ladder route, starting as an LPN, then bridging to RN, and later earning an (optional) BSN online. It’s flexible, realistic, and allows you to earn while you learn.
My Step Ladder Plan
I’ve chosen the step ladder approach to build a strong foundation while keeping my aviation career active.
That means I’ll take two NCLEX exams — one for Practical Nursing and one for Registered Nursing — with a few online classes in between to fill in the gaps for missing prerequisites..
Here’s how my journey unfolds, starting in 2026:
My Dual Career Work Plan (Im always tweaking): From Flight Attendant to Nurse
2026 — Launching the LPN Journey
In 2026 as an aspiring nurse, I’ll begin my part-time Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program while continuing to fly part-time. Because my studies are spread over two years, I’ll have the flexibility to manage coursework, clinical rotations, and my flight schedule without losing balance. My main goal the first session is to adjust and stay consistent and organized—using every layover, quiet morning, or downtime to study, rest, and recharge.
2027 — Completing the LPN Program & Prepping for the NCLEX-PN
By December 2027, I’ll complete my LPN program. This year will be dedicated to final clinical rotations, refining practical skills, and preparing for the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. I’ll still be working part-time as a flight attendant, but as graduation approaches, I’ll shift focus toward board prep and setting up for my first nursing role. This will mark the true crossover between two worlds—flying less, caring more.
Early 2028 — Passing the NCLEX-PN & Entering the Workforce as an LPN
In early 2028, I plan to pass my NCLEX-PN and begin working as an LPN. This will be my first official step into healthcare. I’ll gain real clinical experience while continuing to fly occasionally, allowing me to maintain my travel benefits and income balance. This stage is all about applying what I’ve learned and building confidence before advancing to RN studies.
2028 — Completing RN Bridge Prerequisites Online
Once I’m working as an LPN, I’ll complete the remaining prerequisites for my LPN-to-RN bridge program. These classes—like Microbiology, Anatomy & Physiology II, and College Algebra—can be completed online, making them ideal for my flexible lifestyle. This period will also allow me to continue working and earning while preparing academically for the RN transition.
2029 — Beginning the LPN-to-RN Bridge Program
In 2029, I’ll begin my LPN-to-RN bridge program. This phase is where nursing school builds onto what I’ve learned (the LPN coursework delivers the primary knowledge and skill but the bridge shall that knowledge via advanced coursework, patient care, and clinical rotations. I’ll adjust my flight schedule around labs and hospital hours, focusing primarily on nursing. My experience as an LPN will help me navigate this stage with confidence and clarity.
Late 2029 to Early 2030 — Graduation and NCLEX-RN
By the end of 2029 or early 2030, I’ll graduate from the RN program and take the NCLEX-RN to become a Registered Nurse. This will be the culmination of years of balance, faith, and hard work—transitioning from serving passengers in the skies to serving patients on the ground.
At this stage, I’ll decide whether to maintain flying or fully transition into healthcare. Either way, both worlds will remain part of my identity—service, safety, and care have always been at the core of who I am.
Future — RN to BSN (Optional)
Once I’m settled as an RN, I’ll consider pursuing an RN-to-BSN program online. These flexible programs allow working nurses to study at their own pace, opening doors to leadership, education, and advanced specialties. It’s an optional step, but one that aligns perfectly with my long-term vision for growth and wellness in healthcare.
Why This Timeline Works:Designed for part-time students balancing school and work
Allows steady income and experience as an LPN before advancing to RN
Offers flexibility for travel and study
Builds experience (a major key), stability, and confidence at every stage
This step ladder plan proves that it’s possible to honor both passions—aviation and healthcare—without sacrificing balance or purpose.
How Diverse Nursing Can Be
Nursing is one of the most versatile careers in healthcare. Once licensed, you can choose from dozens of specialties, including:
Emergency or ICU nursing
Pediatrics or Labor & Delivery
School or community health
Travel nursing or flight nursing
Legal, holistic, or wellness-focused roles
Other: There are so many other areas to explore too
Whether you want a fast-paced hospital environment or a steady clinic schedule, nursing lets you shape your path around your personality and goals.
Study & Life Balance Tips for Working Students
Transitioning from one demanding career to another requires strategy. Here’s what I’m doing to stay grounded:
Creating a realistic semester timeline with built-in rest weeks
Taking online and hybrid classes to match my travel rhythm
Studying during flights, layovers, and quiet mornings and evenings
Flying part-time or on-call during exam-heavy months
Protecting my mental and physical wellness with consistent routines
Balance isn’t about doing everything at once but it’s about knowing when to focus, when to rest, and when to soar.
From Cabin Crew to Clinical Care
Becoming a nurse isn’t about leaving behind who I am as a flight attendant. It’s about expanding my skills into a new form of service. Both professions require compassion, communication, and composure under pressure. Both allow me to impact lives every single day.
This journey for me isn’t asolely bout speed it’s about intention. Every phase, from LPN school to bridging RN licensure, brings me closer to the heart of why I started: to serve, to heal, and to care deeply for others.
Building a Life That Aligns
If you’re reading this because you’re considering nursing—know that there’s no one-size-fits-all path. Whether you go straight for a BSN, take the LPN-to-RN route, or study part-time like me, what matters most is your why.
The key is designing a plan that works for your lifestyle, responsibilities, and energy. My dual career journey proves that you can chase multiple dreams at once—as long as you move with intention, strategy, and purpose.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about trading wings for scrubs.
It’s about carrying compassion wherever you go—in the air, on the ground, and beyond.
Join Me on the Journey
I’ll be documenting every step of this journey right here on The Flight Attendant Nextdoor—from phlebotomy training to my future NCLEX success.
Subscribe to my blog (via desk top) for a new chapter.
It’s a new flight path. And this time, it’s grounded in care.
The Flight Attendant Nextdoor
xoxo
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