First nursing job interview!

[hoping05]

Hello, I have been reading this forum and learning as much as I can from other new nurses and now I need to ask for some help. I have an interview in pediatrics/Post-Partum overflow, but it's nights and I just don't know how to transition to that if offered the position and I accept it. It's 7 on, 7 off and I just wonder how I will do. I am not a night person, how does one become one? I have children who will be starting school about 2 weeks after I were to start the position, so I guess I would sleep during the day while they are gone. When you work nights, do you come straight home and sleep? Do you then stay up all afternoon, evening, then go to your shift at 11pm, or do you grab another nap beforehand? I'm excited at the thought of actually being an RN (wait, I am one, I've just been dragging my feet all summer!), but now that it comes down to it, it's scary. Please if you can, tell me how nights are, and how you adjust and get the necessary sleep. Thanks!

[MedSurgeMess]

Unfortunately, in the area where I live (south central Indiana) there aren't a lot of jobs to choose from, and they are just about ALL night positions, unless you have 10+ yrs experience. I don't know if that is the case in the area where you are or not. But as far as resting--I work 6p-6a, and am a night owl--I come home and watch about 30 min to an hour of the tele, do a few chores and sleep for about 6 hours and get up and get ready for work again--I work my 3 in a row when possible. I also know that this doesn't work for everyone. My mom works at another hospital nights and she comes home, does whatever all day, then sleeps afternoons and evenings--she works 11p-7a. You just gotta find what works for you. Trial and error, and about the time you start getting used to nights, you will find a day position:rolleyes: Good luck on your interview!

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

I'm a new RN working 7p to 7a. The biggest problem I'm having, is not working the late shift, but sleeping at night on my days off. I'm still trying to work it out so I can. I tried coming home from a shift and just staying up so I would be tired that night, but after a 12hr shift I'm exhausted and go right to bed. I think what I'm going to try is going to sleep when I get home but only for a few hours instead of 7 or 8.