Best way to space out 12-hr night shifts?

[BD12]

I am a nursing student and I got a student nurse extern position for the summer!! I will be working 12 hour night shifts from 7pm-7am 3 days a week. I have been asked what my shift preferences are, so I need some suggestions! Is it best to work 2 nights in a row and then take one off and work the 3rd one after that? I am a night person, so this shouldn't be too hard for me to stay up all night, but I just need some ideas on what works best! Thanks! :)

[nrse20]

i too just took a job where i'll be working nights (my first job!) how do you guys schedule the sleep.. do you sleep like 9-4? then go back to work. what about your day off? you get off at 7am, sleep til when? then back to bed when?

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

I sleep from about 9-4 on days when I have to go back. After my last shift, I sleep from about 9 til whenever I feel like getting up. Usually it's between 4-5, and I can usually go back to sleep at a decent hour (before midnight) that night. Others have found that they can only sleep 3-4 hours that last day if they want a good night's sleep that night. Everybody's different in that regard. It may take a while before you find what works for you.