Interview after a night shift

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have an interview for a job I really want on Wed. However, I work Tues Night 11-7am. Interview is at 1030, I need to leave by 945am.

I won't call in sick.

I can try to give the shift away but I am not sure if anyone will take it.

They could only interview this day.

HAs anyone done this? AM I crazy?

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Specializes in NICU.

I haven't interviewed the day after a night shift, but I've gone to classes, worked at my part-time job, etc. I'd say it's doable. Get some caffeine, maybe grab breakfast at a sit-down restaurant, show up in your scrubs (if you're comfortable with that) and definitely let them know that you worked the night before. Hopefully they'll cut you some slack if you're not quite at your sharpest, especially if the fact that you're there means you're really dedicated to landing this job.

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Specializes in LTC.

I've never gone to job interview right after working a noc shift, but there have been plenty of time when I had class/an appointment/somewhere to be after working a noc shift. The key for me is to get as much sleep as possible before going into work that night. That and caffeine! One thing not to do is try to take a quick nap for 20 or 30 minutes, that always just makes me more tired!

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Good luck, let us know how it goes. You'll get energized/nervous. I would not wear scrubs.

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Never worked at noc. But, here is something that has worked for me... in the past. Go home if you can. drink a cup of coffee rather quickly... take 10 minutes to drink it. Then immediately go to sleep, in bed with timer set for 30 minutes ONLY! Rationale is that, the coffee will take about the length of your nap to kick in, and you have also benefited from the nap. The nap can be no longer than 30 minutes or you risk slipping into the stages you cannot wake from without being groggy :yawn:. You will wake up a little off, but in a few minutes you will notice you are awake!!! Shower, brush teeth etc. new makeup... all in the wake up protocol.

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Specializes in Critical Care,Recovery, ED.

I have done that. Let the people know who are interviewing you that you worked the night before. Ideally before the interview. Make sure you get plenty of sleep the day before. Let the people you work with know you can't stay late that morning. Cold shower and coffee also help.

Good luck.

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Go home, take a nice hot shower, get ready for the interview and then go out to breakfast with a good friend and have some coffee with your breakfast! I've had to do this after a 12 hour and shift with an interview 2 hours later.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

Once I had an interview in the late afternoon, worked 7P to 7:30A, then went to another interview. It was doable - I ended up getting the job I interviewed for after my shift!

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Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

You can do it. I'm with Vito on the attire, no scrubs.

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

I bought a house 2 months ago after working a nightshift. I worked 7p-7a, the house closing was at 2:30p and was an hour and a half drive. I was so excited all I could do was take a shower and lie in bed for an hour and pretend I was sleeping. I was pretty wiped out but hey whatever!

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I guess I will go to my interview and hope for the best.

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Tell us how it went! Im sure you will do great!

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