Anchor sleep for night shift workers

[MountainBikeChick]

I've searched the forums and the internet, and have not come to a clear answer - when using the "anchor sleep" approach, do you still take an afternoon nap before you go in for your first night shift? I'm a new grad and work 3 nights on, 4 off.

My plan for sleep after night shift is 9a-5p. For my nights off, I will sleep 3/4a-12p. I have a toddler that still night nurses, hence the 9 hour block of time so I really get enough sleep. My anchor hours will be 9a-12p, so after my last shift I will sleep 9-1, then stay up until 3a and resume my schedule.

So for those that have a similar schedule, do you still take a short nap before starting your 3? Is sleeping until noon enough? I feel like being awake from 12p-9a (21 hours) would be too much. Any success with this sleep method, and if so, what schedule do you do?

I'm a natural night person so I'm really excited about the prospect of having free time to clean the house, food prep, work out, etc while my husband and kiddo sleep!